Hypertext Webster Gateway: "brass"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Brass
which is an alloy of copper and zinc, was not known till the
thirteenth century. What is designated by this word in Scripture
is properly copper (Deut. 8:9). It was used for fetters (Judg.
16:21; 2 Kings 25:7), for pieces of armour (1 Sam. 17:5, 6), for
musical instruments (1 Chr. 15:19; 1 Cor. 13:1), and for money
(Matt. 10:9).
It is a symbol of insensibility and obstinacy in sin (Isa.
48:4; Jer. 6:28; Ezek. 22:18), and of strength (Ps. 107:16;
Micah 4:13).
The Macedonian empire is described as a kingdom of brass (Dan.
2:39). The "mountains of brass" Zechariah (6:1) speaks of have
been supposed to represent the immutable decrees of God.
The serpent of brass was made by Moses at the command of God
(Num. 21:4-9), and elevated on a pole, so that it might be seen
by all the people when wounded by the bite of the serpents that
were sent to them as a punishment for their murmurings against
God and against Moses. It was afterwards carried by the Jews
into Canaan, and preserved by them till the time of Hezekiah,
who caused it to be at length destroyed because it began to be
viewed by the people with superstitious reverence (2 Kings
18:4). (See {NEHUSHTAN}.)
The brazen serpent is alluded to by our Lord in John 3:14, 15.
(See {SERPENT}.)
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Brass \Brass\, n.; pl. {Brasses}. [OE. bras, bres, AS. br[ae]s;
akin to Icel. bras cement, solder, brasa to harden by fire,
and to E. braze, brazen. Cf. 1st & 2d {Braze}.]
1. An alloy (usually yellow) of copper and zinc, in variable
proportion, but often containing two parts of copper to
one part of zinc. It sometimes contains tin, and rarely
other metals.
2. (Mach.) A journal bearing, 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 {Axle box}, {Journal Box}, and {Bearing}.
3. Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze. [Obs.]
Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your
purses, nor scrip for your journey. --Matt. x. 9.
4. Impudence; a brazen face. [Colloq.]
5. pl. Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass.
The very scullion who cleans the brasses.
--Hopkinson.
6. A brass plate engraved with a figure or device.
Specifically, one used as a memorial to the dead, and
generally having the portrait, coat of arms, etc.
7. pl. (Mining) Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the
color of which is near to that of brass.
Note: The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a
translation for copper or some kind of bronze.
Note: Brass is often used adjectively or in self-explaining
compounds; as, brass button, brass kettle, brass
founder, brass foundry or brassfoundry.
{Brass band} (Mus.), a band of musicians who play upon wind
instruments made of brass, as trumpets, cornets, etc.
{Brass foil}, {Brass leaf}, brass made into very thin sheets;
-- called also {Dutch gold}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
brass
n 1: an alloy of copper and zinc
2: a wind instrument that consists of a brass tube (usually of
variable length) blown by means of a cup-shaped or
funnel-shaped mouthpiece
3: the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up
a governing body and who administer something; "he claims
that the present administration is corrupt"; "the
governance of an association is responsible to its
members"; "he quickly became recognized as a member of the
establishment" [syn: {administration}, {governance}, {establishment},
{organization}, {organisation}]
4: impudent aggressiveness; "I couldn't believe her boldness";
"he had the effrontery to question my honesty" [syn: {boldness},
{nerve}, {face}, {cheek}]
5: an ornament or utensil made of brass
6: a memorial made of brass [syn: {memorial tablet}, {plaque}]
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