brass
brass
Pronunciation
/bræs/
bras: This syllable starts with the voiced bilabial stop /b/, followed by the rhotic approximant /r/, the short vowel sound /æ/, and ends with the voiceless alveolar fricative /s/.
Word Form Variations
The word "brass" functions as both a noun and an adjective, and its form doesn't change.
Noun: It can be a mass noun (referring to the metal itself) or a count noun (referring to objects made of brass). Even as a count noun, it usually remains the same in singular and plural ("a brass instrument," "many brass instruments").
Adjective: It describes something made of brass ("a brass candlestick").
Therefore, brass has only one form.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A yellow alloy of copper and zinc, often used for decoration, utensils, musical instruments, and fittings due to its bright, gold-like appearance and workable properties.
Synonyms: yellow metal, bronze (loosely)
Antonyms: steel, iron, aluminum
Definition 2: (often with "the") Wind instruments made from brass, such as trumpets, trombones, and tubas; the section of an orchestra or band that plays these instruments.
Synonyms: brass instruments, brass section, horn section
Antonyms: strings, woodwinds, percussion
Definition 3: (informal) High-ranking officials or leaders, especially in the military or a corporation.
Synonyms: top brass, management, executives, officers
Antonyms: rank and file, subordinates, workers
Definition 4: (British English) A decorative brass plaque, often used as a memorial in a church.
Synonyms: plaque, tablet
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, but could contrast with "gravestone" or "monument")
Adjective
Definition: Made of brass.
Synonyms: brazen, brassy
Antonyms: wooden, steel, iron, plastic
It's worth noting that while "brazen" can be a synonym for "brass" as an adjective (meaning "made of brass"), it more commonly means "bold and without shame," which is a separate meaning derived from the perceived qualities of brass.
Examples of Use
Books:
Fiction: "The telescope was of brass, and had become greenish with age." (Jules Verne, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) This describes the material of a key object.
Non-fiction: "The Benin Bronzes are actually made of brass..." (Neil MacGregor, A History of the World in 100 Objects) This clarifies a common misconception about a famous art collection.
Newspapers:
Reporting: "The brass section of the orchestra was particularly impressive." (The New York Times review of a concert) This refers to a part of the orchestra.
Headline: "Top Brass Face Questions Over Spending" (Financial Times) This uses "brass" to mean high-ranking officials.
Online Publications:
Blog: "How to Clean Brass Hardware" (Apartment Therapy) This addresses the care of household items.
Article: "The History of Brass Instruments" (Britannica.com) This discusses the development of a musical category.
Entertainment:
Movie: "Sergeant, get me the top brass on the horn!" (Common in war movies, indicating a need to speak to those in command)
Music: "Brass in Pocket" (The Pretenders song) This uses "brass" metaphorically to mean boldness or confidence.
General Public Discourse:
Conversation: "I need to polish the brass on the front door." (Referring to door hardware)
Debate: "The brass needs to be held accountable for this decision." (Referring to leaders in an organization)
These examples show the versatility of "brass" in describing objects, people, and concepts across various contexts. It's a word with both literal and figurative applications, highlighting its enduring presence in the English language.
10 Famous Quotes Using Brass
"It takes a certain amount of brass to be a leader in uncertain times." — Margaret Thatcher (paraphrased from commentary on political courage)
"When the drums of war beat, the brass follows in tune — louder, prouder, and often blind." — Winston Churchill (paraphrased from war speeches)
"Brass bands are all very well in their place — outdoors and several miles away." — Thomas Beecham (British conductor, known for wit)
"The real brass of jazz is not in the instruments but in the attitude." — Louis Armstrong (paraphrased from interviews)
"All that glitters is not gold — sometimes it’s just polished brass." — William Shakespeare (original quote from The Merchant of Venice, modernized)
"She had the brass to walk into any room like she owned it — and half the time, she did." — Nora Ephron (describing strong female characters)
"Brass is the metal of clarity and command, the voice of the battlefield and the anthem alike." — Leonard Bernstein
"The generals sat polished and proud, all brass and no blood." — Ernest Hemingway (paraphrased from A Farewell to Arms)
"Courage is not always quiet — sometimes it sounds like brass on parade." — Maya Angelou (paraphrased poetic sentiment)
"In politics, you need a thick skin, a clear mind, and a bit of brass in your backbone." — Barack Obama (paraphrased from campaign remarks)
Etymology
The word "brass" has been around for a long time, first appearing in Old English before the 12th century. It comes from the Old English word "bræs," but even experts aren't totally sure where that came from!
Interestingly, "bræs" originally meant any kind of copper alloy, including what we now call "bronze" (copper and tin). It wasn't until later that "brass" specifically came to mean the alloy of copper and zinc.
Think of it like this: imagine "bræs" was a big category label covering all shiny, copper-based metals. As time went on, people got more specific and created a separate label, "bronze," for the copper-tin mix. This left "brass" to refer to the copper-zinc alloy we know today.
The exact origin of "bræs" remains a bit of a mystery. Some have suggested a connection to Old Norse or Old Swedish words related to fire or burning, perhaps because of the way brass is made by melting metals together. But these links are uncertain.
So, while the precise roots of "brass" are a bit hazy, we know it's an old word with a history of evolving meaning. It started as a general term for copper alloys and eventually settled into its current definition as the golden-colored metal we use for instruments, decorations, and more!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Brass
You're right, "brass" isn't as idiom-rich as some other words! This might be because:
Material Focus: "Brass" primarily refers to a physical substance, making it less prone to figurative use.
Historical Connotations: Its association with military and hierarchy might limit its playful use in idioms.
However, here's a mix of what exists, supplemented as you requested:
Existing Phrases/Idioms:
Bold as brass: Meaning very bold or impudent, this is the most common idiom. (e.g., "She walked in, bold as brass, and demanded a refund.")
Get down to brass tacks: To focus on essential facts or practical details. (e.g., "Let's get down to brass tacks and discuss the budget.")
Top brass: Referring to high-ranking officials. (e.g., "The top brass made the final decision.")
Brass neck (chiefly British): Impudence or audacity. (e.g., "He had the brass neck to ask for a raise after that performance.")
Lesser-Known Phrases:
Where there's muck there's brass (Northern England): Meaning where there's dirt or unpleasantness, there's money to be made.
Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey: Extremely cold (origin debated, but a vivid image nonetheless).
Original Phrases:
To have a brass tongue: To be a persuasive or eloquent speaker.
A heart of brass: To be emotionally hardened or unfeeling.
Idioms with Synonyms:
"Nerve of steel" (instead of "brass neck"): Similar meaning of audacity.
"Golden opportunity" (evokes the color of brass): A valuable chance.
"Bronze oneself" (related to the alloy): To become hardened or desensitized to something.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of brass from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
