brasses

Noun

brass (usually uncountable, plural brasses)

1. (countable, uncountable, usually) A memorial or sepulchral tablet usually made of brass or latten: a monumental brass.
2. (countable, uncountable, usually) Fittings, utensils, or other items made of brass.
3. (usually) A class of wind instruments, usually made of metal (such as brass), that use vibrations of the player's lips to produce sound; a band or the section of an orchestra that features such instruments.
   • A few measures later, the brass comes in strong!
4. (usually) Spent cartridge casings (usually made of brass): the part of the cartridge left over after bullets or shells have been fired.
5. (usually) The color of brass (etymology 1, noun sense 1).
6. (metonymically, usually, business or other organizations) High-ranking officers: the brass hats.
   • The brass are not going to like this.

See all 18 meanings of brass