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brush

noun (1)
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\ ˈbrəsh How to pronounce brush (audio) \

Definition of brush

 (Entry 1 of 5)

1 : brushwood
2a : scrub vegetation
b : land covered with scrub vegetation

brush

noun (2)

Definition of brush (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : a device composed of bristles typically set into a handle and used especially for sweeping, smoothing, scrubbing, or painting
2 : something resembling a brush: such as
a : a bushy tail
b : a feather tuft worn on a hat
3 : an electrical conductor that makes sliding contact between a stationary and a moving part (as of a generator or a motor)
4a : an act of brushing
b : a quick light touch or momentary contact in passing

brush

verb (1)
brushed; brushing; brushes

Definition of brush (Entry 3 of 5)

transitive verb

1a : to apply a brush to
b : to apply with a brush
2a : to remove with passing strokes (as of a brush)
b : to dispose of in an offhand way : dismiss brushed him off
3 : to pass lightly over or across : touch gently against in passing

brush

noun (3)

Definition of brush (Entry 4 of 5)

: a brief encounter or skirmish a brush with disaster a brush with the law

brush

verb (2)
brushed; brushing; brushes

Definition of brush (Entry 5 of 5)

intransitive verb

: to move lightly or heedlessly brushed past the well-wishers waiting to greet him
Other Words from brush Synonyms & Antonyms Learn More about brush

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Other Words from brush

Verb (1)

brusher noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for brush

Synonyms: Verb (1)

Synonyms: Noun (3)

Synonyms: Verb (2)

Antonyms: Verb (2)

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First Known Use of brush

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1674, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for brush

Noun (1)

Middle English brusch, from an Anglo-French form akin to Old French broce brushwood, Medieval Latin brusca

Noun (2)

Middle English brusshe, from an Anglo-French form akin to Middle French broisse

Noun (3)

Middle English brusche rush, hostile collision, from bruschen

Verb (2)

Middle English bruschen to rush, probably from Middle French brosser to dash through underbrush, from broce

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Time Traveler for brush

Time Traveler

The first known use of brush was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Brush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brush. Accessed 2 Mar. 2021.

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More Definitions for brush

brush

noun
\ ˈbrəsh How to pronounce brush (audio) \

Kids Definition of brush

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1 : a tool made of bristles set in a handle and used for cleaning, smoothing, or painting
2 : an act of smoothing or scrubbing with a brush
3 : a light stroke a brush of the hand
4 : a bushy tail

brush

verb
brushed; brushing

Kids Definition of brush (Entry 2 of 4)

1 : to scrub or smooth with a brush Brush your hair.
2 : to remove with or as if with a brush I brushed up the dirt.
3 : to pass lightly across A twig brushed my cheek.

brush

noun

Kids Definition of brush (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : branches and twigs cut from trees
2 : a heavy growth of small trees and bushes

brush

noun

Kids Definition of brush (Entry 4 of 4)

: a brief fight or quarrel

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More from Merriam-Webster on brush

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for brush

Nglish: Translation of brush for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of brush for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about brush

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