brush

brush

brush¹ [brush]

n.

[ME brushe < OFr broce, brosse, bush, brushwood < VL * bruscia < Gmc * bruskaz, underbrush: for IE base see BREAST]

1. BRUSHWOOD

☆ 2. sparsely settled country, covered with wild scrub growth

3.

a) a device having bristles, hairs, or wires fastened into a hard back, with or without a handle attached: brushes are used for cleaning, polishing, painting, smoothing the hair, etc.

b) a device of wires attached in a fanlike spread to a handle, used as on drums or cymbals for a swishing or muted effect

4. the act of brushing

5. a light, grazing stroke [a brush of the hand]

6. BRUSHWORK

7. a bushy tail, esp. that of a fox

☆ 8. Slang BRUSHOFF

9. Elec.

a) a piece, plate, rod, or bundle of carbon, copper, etc. used as a conductor between an external circuit and a revolving part, as in a motor

b) BRUSH DISCHARGE

vt.

1. to use a brush on; clean, polish, paint, smooth, etc. with a brush

2. to apply, spread, remove, etc. with a stroke or strokes as of a brush

3. to go over lightly, as with a brush

4. to touch or graze in passing

vi.

to move so as to push lightly aside, skim, or graze past something

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brush aside or brush away

1. to sweep out of the way

2. to dismiss from consideration

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☆ brush off Slang

to dismiss or get rid of abruptly or rudely

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brush up

1. to make neat or presentable

2. to refresh one's memory or skill: often with on [to brush up on one's French]

brush² [brush]

vi.

[ME bruschen, rush < ? OFr brosser, to travel (? through woods), beat underbrush for game: see BRUSH¹]

to hurry

n.

a short, quick fight, skirmish, etc. [a brush with the law]