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.

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.

Brush

a 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.

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.

brush2 utensil for sweeping, etc. XIV. — OF. broisse, (also mod.) brosse, perh. to be identified with prec.; cf. BROOM.
Hence vb. XV.