Brass Meaning
/bɹɑːs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Definition
nounA metallic alloy of copper and zinc used in many industrial and plumbing applications.
nounA metallic alloy of copper and zinc used in many industrial and plumbing applications., A memorial or sepulchral tablet usually made of brass or latten: a monumental brass.
Sentence Examples
Synonyms & Antonyms
Word Origin & History
From Middle English bras, bres, from Old English bræs (“brass, bronze”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps representing a backformation from Proto-Germanic *brasnaz (“brazen”), from or related to *brasō (“fire, pyre”). Compare Old Norse and Icelandic bras (“solder”), Icelandic brasa (“to harden in the fire”), Swedish brasa (“a small controlled fire”), Danish brase (“to fry”); French braser ("to solder"; > English braise) from the same Germanic root. Compare also Middle Dutch braspenninc ("a silver coin", literally, "silver-penny"; > Dutch braspenning), Old Frisian bress (“copper”), Middle Low German bras (“metal, ore”). In the military sense an ellipsis of the brass hats.