Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Brass
Brass
,Noun.
pl.
Brasses
. [OE.
bras
, bres
, AS. bræs
; akin to Icel. bras
cement, solder, brasa
to harden by fire, and to E. braze
, brazen
. Cf. 1st & 2d Braze
.] 1.
An alloy (usually yellow) of copper and zinc, in variable proportion, but often containing two parts of copper to one part of zinc. It sometimes contains tin, and rarely other metals.
2.
(Mach.)
A journal bearing, so called because frequently made of brass. A brass is often lined with a softer metal, when the latter is generally called a white metal lining. See
Axle box
, Journal Box
, and Bearing
. 3.
Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze.
[Obs.]
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor
brass
in your purses, nor scrip for your journey. Matt. x. 9.
4.
Impudence; a brazen face.
[Colloq.]
5.
pl.
Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass.
The very scullion who cleans the
brasses
. Hopkinson.
6.
A brass plate engraved with a figure or device. Specifically, one used as a memorial to the dead, and generally having the portrait, coat of arms, etc.
7.
pl.
(Mining)
Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the color of which is near to that of brass.
☞ The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a translation for copper or some kind of bronze.
☞ Brass is often used adjectively or in self-explaining compounds; as, brass button, brass kettle, brass founder, brass foundry or brassfoundry.
Brass band
(Mus.)
, a band of musicians who play upon wind instruments made of brass, as trumpets, cornets, etc.
– Brass foil
, Brass leaf
brass made into very thin sheets; – called also
Dutch gold
.Webster 1828 Edition
Brass
BR'ASS
, n.1.
An alloy of copper and zink,of a yellow color; usually containing about one third of its weight of zink, but the proportions are variable. The best brass is made by cementation of calamine or the oxyd of zink with granulated copper.2.
Impudence; a brazen face.