brush1    Audio Help   /brʌʃ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bruhsh] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1.	an implement consisting of bristles, hair, or the like, set in or attached to a handle, used for painting, cleaning, polishing, grooming, etc.

2.	one of a pair of devices consisting of long, thin handles with wire bristles attached, used in jazz or dance bands for keeping a soft, rhythmic beat on the trap drums or the cymbals.

3.	the bushy tail of an animal, esp. of a fox.

4.	Electricity. a. a conductor, often made of carbon or copper or a combination of the two, serving to maintain electric contact between stationary and moving parts of a machine, generator, or other apparatus. b. brush discharge.

5.	a feathery or hairy tuft or tassel, as on the tip of a kernel of grain or on a man's hat.

6.	an act or instance of brushing; application of a brush.

7.	a light, stroking touch.

8.	a brief encounter: He has already had one brush with the law.

9.	a close approach, esp. to something undesirable or harmful: a brush with disaster.

–verb (used with object)

10.	to sweep, paint, clean, polish, etc., with a brush.

11.	to touch lightly in passing; pass lightly over: His lips brushed her ear.

12.	to remove by brushing or by lightly passing over: His hand brushed a speck of lint from his coat.

–verb (used without object)

13.	to move or skim with a slight contact.

—Verb phrases

14.	brush aside, to disregard; ignore: Our complaints were simply brushed aside.

15.	brush off, to rebuff; send away: She had never been brushed off so rudely before.

16.	brush up on, to revive, review, or resume (studies, a skill, etc.): She's thinking of brushing up on her tennis. Also, brush up.

—Idioms

17.	get the brush, to be rejected or rebuffed: She greeted Jim effusively, but I got the brush.

18.	give the brush, to ignore, rebuff, etc.: If you're still angry with him, give him the brush.

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[Origin: 1350–1400; (n.) ME brusshe, prob. to be identified with brush², if orig. sense was implement made from twigs, etc., culled from brushwood; (v.) ME brushen to hasten, rush, prob. < OF brosser to travel (through brush), v. deriv. of broce (see brush²)]

—Related forms

brush·a·ble, adjective

brusher, noun

brushlike, adjective

—Synonyms 8. engagement, action, skirmish. See struggle.

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