From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
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.
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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}.
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3. Coin made of copper, brass, or bronze. [Obs.]
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Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your
purses, nor scrip for your journey. --Matt. x. 9.
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4. Impudence; a brazen face. [Colloq.]
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5. pl. Utensils, ornaments, or other articles of brass.
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The very scullion who cleans the brasses.
--Hopkinson.
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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.
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7. pl. (Mining) Lumps of pyrites or sulphuret of iron, the
color of which is near to that of brass.
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Note: The word brass as used in Sculpture language is a
translation for copper or some kind of bronze.
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Note: Brass is often used adjectively or in self-explaining
compounds; as, brass button, brass kettle, brass
founder, brass foundry or brassfoundry.
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{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}.
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