Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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}.