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brush
brush1 / brəsh/ • n. 1. an implement with a handle, consisting of bristles or wire set into a block, used for cleaning or scrubbing, applying a liquid or powder to a surface, arranging the hair, or other purposes: a paint brush. ∎ an act of sweeping, applying, or arranging with such an implement or with one's hand: he gave the seat a brush. ∎ (usu. brushes) a thin stick set with long wire bristles, used to make a soft hissing sound on drums or cymbals. 2. a slight and fleeting touch: the lightest brush of his lips against her cheek. ∎ a brief and typically unpleasant or unwelcome encounter with someone or something: a brush with death. 3. a piece of carbon or metal serving as an electrical contact with a moving part in a motor or alternator. • v. 1. [tr.] remove (dust or dirt) by sweeping or scrubbing: we'll be able to brush the mud off easily. ∎ [tr.] use a brush or one's hand to remove dust or dirt from (something): she brushed down her best coat. ∎ [tr.] clean (one's teeth) by scrubbing with a brush. ∎ [tr.] arrange (one's hair) by running a brush through it. ∎ [tr.] apply a liquid to (a surface) with a brush: brush the potatoes with oil. ∎ apply (a liquid or substance) to a surface: brush on a floor enamel for a long-lasting base coat. 2. [intr.] touch lightly and gently: stems of grass brush against her legs. ∎ (brush past) touch fleetingly and in passing: she brushed past him to leave the room. ∎ [tr.] push (something) away with a quick movement of the hand: she brushed a wisp of hair away from her face. ∎ [tr.] (brush something aside) dismiss (something) curtly and confidently: people brushed aside the possibility of imminent war. ∎ [tr.] (brush someone/something off) dismiss in an abrupt, contemptuous way: the president brushed off a reporter's question about terrorism. PHRASAL VERBS: brush someone back inf. Baseball (of a pitcher) force a batter to step back to avoid being hit by a ball pitched close to the body. brush up on improve one's previously good knowledge of or skill at a particular thing: brush up on your telephone skills. brush2 • n. undergrowth, small trees, and shrubs. |
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Cite this article
"brush." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "brush." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-brush.html "brush." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-brush.html |
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brush
brush. A painting or drawing implement consisting of flexible fibres set in a handle. Prehistoric artists used materials such as feathers and leaves to apply paint and the Egyptians used an implement consisting simply of a reed with the end macerated to separate the fibres, but animal hairs have been used since the ancient Greeks and are still the most important materials. For watercolour painting the ‘sable’ brush (made from the fur of the Siberian mink) is the best type; the ‘camel-hair’ brush (usually made from squirrel hair) is cheaper, but lacks springiness and durability. For oil painting a stiffer type of brush is needed; the best-quality ones are made of white hog bristles. Synthetic fibres have been used since the 1960s; polyester has proved superior to nylon and has sometimes been blended with animal hairs to combine toughness with resilience. See also pencil.
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Cite this article
IAN CHILVERS. "brush." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. IAN CHILVERS. "brush." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-brush.html IAN CHILVERS. "brush." The Oxford Dictionary of Art. 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O2-brush.html |
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brush
brush A painting or drawing implement consisting of flexible fibres set in a handle. Prehistoric artists used materials such as feathers and leaves to apply paint and the Egyptians used an implement consisting simply of a reed with the end macerated to separate the fibres, but animal hairs have been used since the ancient Greeks and are still the most important materials. For watercolour painting the ‘sable’ brush (made from the fur of the Siberian mink) is the best type; the ‘camel-hair’ brush (usually made from squirrel hair) is cheaper, but lacks springiness and durability. For oil painting a stiffer type of brush is needed; the best quality ones are made of white hog bristles. Synthetic fibres have been used since the 1960s; polyester has proved superior to nylon and has sometimes been blended with animal hairs to combine toughness with resilience. See also Pencil.
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Cite this article
IAN CHILVERS. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. IAN CHILVERS. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-brush.html IAN CHILVERS. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-brush.html |
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Brush
Brusha bundle of light rays; the loppings of trees and hedges, 1330; a faggot or bavin of brushwood, 1690; a thicket of small growing trees or shrubs, 1553. Examples: brush of rosemary, hyssop, fennel or other herbs, 1609; of light rays, 1817. |
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Cite this article
"Brush." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Brush." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300179.html "Brush." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505300179.html |
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brush
brush1 (dial.) loppings of trees XIV: (U.S., etc.) thicket XVI. ME. brusche — AN. brousse, OF. broce, brosse (whence F. broussaille) :- Rom. *bruscia, perh. f. L. bruscum excrescence on the maple.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brush.html T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brush.html |
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brush
brush3 †rush XIV; move briskly by, past, etc. XVII. poss. — OF. brosser go through brushwood, f. brosse BRUSH1.
Hence sb. forcible rush or encounter. XIV. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brush2.html T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brush2.html |
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brush
brush2 utensil for sweeping, etc. XIV. — OF. broisse, (also mod.) brosse, perh. to be identified with prec.; cf. BROOM.
Hence vb. XV. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brush1.html T. F. HOAD. "brush." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-brush1.html |
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brush
brush name for the bushy tail of a fox.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "brush." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "brush." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-brush.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "brush." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-brush.html |
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brush
brush
•ablush, blush, brush, crush, flush, gush, hush, hush-hush, lush, mush, plush, rush, shush, slush, thrush, tush
•airbrush, hairbrush
•sagebrush • paintbrush • onrush
•song thrush • outrush • toothbrush
•woodrush • bulrush • uprush
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Cite this article
"brush." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "brush." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-brush.html "brush." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-brush.html |
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