Brass (&?;), n.; 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.
&fist; The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a
translation for copper or some kind of bronze.
&fist; 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.
