Brāss, n.

n. [A-S. brās, W. prês, Ir. pras, Gael. prais, Corn. brest. Cf. Icel. bras cement, solder, Lith. warras, brass.]

1Sense 1. An alloy of copper and zinc, of a yellow color, usually containing about one third of its weight of zinc; but the proportions are variable. Thomson.

2Sense 2. (Mach.) The bearing piece sometimes placed between a journal and a journal-box, and forming a part of the latter, on which the journal moves; 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 Illust. of Axle-box. See also JOURNAL-BOX and BEARING.]

3Sense 3. Impudence; a brazen face. [Colloq.]

4Sense 4. (pl.) (a.) Utensils, ornaments, or other articles made of brass. “The very scullion who cleans the brasses.” Hopkinson. (b.) Monumental engravings on brass plates, let into slabs in the pavements of ancient churches, containing the effigies, coats of arms, &c., of illustrious persons. Oxford Gloss. of Arch. (c.) (Mining.) Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the color of which is near to that of brass. Dana.