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n. 1. a. An implement typically consisting of bristles fastened into a handle, used in scrubbing, polishing, grooming, or applying a liquid. b. The act of using this implement. 2. a. A sweeping stroke of the hand, as in removing something. b. A light touch in passing; a graze. c. An instance of contact with something undesirable or dangerous: a brush with the law; a brush with death. 3. A bushy tail: the brush of a fox. 4. A sliding connection completing a circuit between a fixed and a moving conductor. 5. A snub; a brushoff. v. brushed, brush·ing, brush·es v.tr. 1. a. To clean, polish, or groom with a brush: brush one's teeth; brush the dog's coat. b. To apply with a brush: brushed shellac onto the wood. c. To remove with a brush or with sweeping strokes: brushed dirt from his pants. 2. To touch lightly in passing; graze against. v.intr. Phrasal Verbs: 1. To use a brush. 2. To make sweeping strokes with the hand. 3. To touch something lightly in moving past. brush aside/off To dismiss abruptly or curtly: brushed the matter aside; brushed an old friend off. brush back Baseball To force (a batter) to move away from the plate by throwing an inside pitch. brush up To refresh one's memory or renew one's skill regarding (something). [Middle English brushe, twigs used as a broom or a brush to clean, painter's brush, from Old French brosse, brushwood, brush; see BRUSH2.] brusher n. brushy adj. Synonyms: brush1, glance1, graze2, shave, skim These verbs mean to make light contact with something in passing: Her arm brushed mine. His fist glanced his opponent's chin. The keel grazed bottom in the shallow water. The front tire shaved the curb. The oars skimmed the pond's surface. |
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