brush

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[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

Middle English brusshe from Old French broisse (cf. French brosse) from Proto-Romance *bruscia (bunch of shoots) of Germanic origin, akin to Proto-Germanic *bruskaz (underbrush) from Proto-Indo-European *bhreus- (to swell, sprout). Akin to Old English brēost "breast".

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Noun

Singular
brush

Plural
brushes

brush (plural brushes)

  1. An implement consisting of multiple more or less flexible bristles or other filaments attached to a handle, used for any of various purposes including cleaning, painting, and arranging hair.
  2. A piece of conductive material, usually carbon, serving to maintain electrical contact between the stationary and rotating parts of a machine.
  3. The act of brushing something.
    She gave her hair a quick brush.
  4. (uncountable) Wild vegetation, generally larger than grass but smaller than trees.
  5. A short and sometimes occasional encounter or experience.
    He has had brushes with communism from time to time.
  6. The furry tail of an animal, especially of a fox.
  7. (music) An instrument, resembling a brush, used to produce a soft sound from drums or cymbals.
  8. (video games) In 3D video games, a convex polyhedron, esp. one that defines structure of the play area.
  9. (poker, slang) The floorperson of a poker room, usually in a casino.
  10. (North Wisconsin, uncountable) Evergreen boughs, especially balsam, locally cut and baled for export, usually for use in wreathmaking.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to brush

Third person singular
brushes

Simple past
brushed

Past participle
brushed

Present participle
brushing

to brush (third-person singular simple present brushes, present participle brushing, simple past and past participle brushed)

  1. To clean with a brush.
    Brush your teeth.
  2. To untangle or arrange with a brush.
    Brush your hair.
  3. To apply with a brush.
    Brush the paint onto the walls.
  4. To remove with a sweeping motion.
    Brush the flour off your clothes.
  5. To touch with a sweeping motion.
    Her scarf brushed his skin.
    • 1990 October 28, Paul Simon, “Further to Fly”, The Rhythm of the Saints, Warner Bros.
      Maybe you will find a love that you discover accidentally, who falls against you gently as a pickpocket brushes your thigh.

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