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brasses

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brasses


  1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Brass  \Brass\,  n.;  pl  {Brasses}.  [OE.  bras,  bres,  AS  br[ae]s; 
  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. 
 
  Note:  The  word  brass  as  used  in  Sculpture  language  is  a 
  translation  for  copper  or  some  kind  of  bronze. 
 
  Note:  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}. 




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