brazen

English

Wikipedia

Alternative forms

• brasen

Etymology

From Middle English brasen, from Old English bræsen (“brazen, of brass”), equivalent to brass +‎ -en (compare golden).

Sense was originally literally “of brass”; figurative verb sense "brazen it out" (face impudently) from 1550s, and adjective sense “impudent” from 1570s. Figurative sense perhaps evoking “face unmoving, not showing shame”.

Pronunciation

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  Rhymes: -eɪzən

Adjective

brazen (comparative more brazen, superlative most brazen)

1. Pertaining to, made of, or resembling brass.
   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 31.

     Brazen or rather copper swords seem to have been next introduced; these in process of time, workmen learned to harden by the addition of some other metal or mineral, which rendered them almost equal in temper to iron.

2. Sounding harsh and loud, like brass cymbals or brass instruments.
3. Extremely strong; impenetrable.
4. Impudent, immodest, or shameless.

Derived terms

• brazen age
• brazen sea

Related terms

• effrontery

Translations

pertaining to, made of, or resembling brass

Bulgarian: меден (bg), бронзов (bg) Czech: mosazný (cs) m. Dutch: koperachtig (nl),

French: cuivreux (fr), Macedonian: месинган (mk) (mésingan) m.

Sounding harsh and loud.

Dutch: schel (nl)

French: aigu (fr)

Extremely strong.

Dutch: keihard (nl), ondoordringbaar (nl)

French: dur comme de la pierre (fr),impénétrable (fr)

Impudent, immodest, or shameless

Dutch: grof (nl),brutaal (nl),schaamteloos (nl)

French: grossier (fr),brutal (fr),éhonté (fr)

Verb

brazen (third-person singular simple present brazens, present participle brazening, simple past and past participle brazened)

1. (transitive) To carry through in a brazen manner. Generally used with out or through.
   • W. Black.

     Sabina brazened it out before Mrs. Wygram, but inwardly she was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect.

Derived terms

• brazen it out