brush

Meanings

Noun

• An implement consisting of multiple more or less flexible bristles or other filaments attached to a handle, used for any of various purposes including cleaning, painting, and arranging hair.
• The act of brushing something.
• A piece of conductive material, usually carbon, serving to maintain electrical contact between the stationary and rotating parts of a machine.
• A brush-like electrical discharge of sparks.
• Wild vegetation, generally larger than grass but smaller than trees. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrubland
• A short and sometimes occasional encounter or experience.
• The furry tail of an animal, especially of a fox.
• A tuft of hair on the mandibles.
• A short contest, or trial, of speed.
• An instrument, resembling a brush, used to produce a soft sound from drums or cymbals.
• An on-screen tool for "painting" a particular colour or texture.
• A set of defined design and parameters that produce drawn strokes of a certain texture and quality.
• In 3D video games, a convex polyhedron, especially one that defines structure of the play area.
• The floorperson of a poker room, usually in a casino.
• Evergreen boughs, especially balsam, locally cut and baled for export, usually for use in making wreaths.

Verb

• To clean with a brush.
• To untangle or arrange with a brush.
• To apply with a brush.
• To remove with a sweeping motion.
• To touch with a sweeping motion, or lightly in passing.
• To clean one's teeth by brushing them.

Origin

• From Middle English brusshe, from Old French broisse (Modern French brosse), from Vulgar Latin *brustia, from Frankish *bursti, from Proto-Germanic *burstiz, or also Vulgar Latin *bruscia, from Proto-Germanic *bruskaz.