Brush

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Brushed p. pr. & vb. n. Brushing. ] [ OE. bruschen; cf. F. brosser. See Brush, n. ] 1. To apply a brush to, according to its particular use; to rub, smooth, clean, paint, etc., with a brush. “A' brushes his hat o' mornings.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To touch in passing, or to pass lightly over, as with a brush. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some spread their sailes, some with strong oars sweep
The waters smooth, and brush the buxom wave. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

Brushed with the kiss of rustling wings. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To remove or gather by brushing, or by an act like that of brushing, or by passing lightly over, as wind; -- commonly with off. [ 1913 Webster ]

As wicked dew as e'er my mother brushed
With raven's feather from unwholesome fen. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

And from the boughts brush off the evil dew. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

To brush aside, to remove from one's way, as with a brush. --
To brush away, to remove, as with a brush or brushing motion. --
To brush up, to paint, or make clean or bright with a brush; to cleanse or improve; to renew. [ 1913 Webster ]

You have commissioned me to paint your shop, and I have done my best to brush you up like your neighbors. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To move nimbly in haste; to move so lightly as scarcely to be perceived; as, to brush by. [ 1913 Webster ]

Snatching his hat, he brushed off like the wind. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. p. p. of brush. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. having a soft nap produced by brushing; as, a dress of brushed cotton. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who, or that which, brushes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of resembling a brush; brushlike condition; shagginess. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Constructed or used to brush with; as a brushing machine. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Brisk; light; as, a brushing gallop. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From George J. Brush, an American mineralogist. ] (Min.) A white or gray crystalline mineral consisting of the acid phosphate of calcium. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Zool.) A large, edible, gregarious bird of Australia (Talegalla Lathami) of the family Megapodidæ. Also applied to several allied species of New Guinea. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The brush turkeys live in the “brush, ” and construct a common nest by collecting a large heap of decaying vegetable matter, which generates heat sufficient to hatch the numerous eggs (sometimes half a bushel) deposited in it by the females of the flock. [ 1913 Webster ]