• Brazen

    Pronunciation

    • enPR: brāzʹn, IPA: /ˈbɹeɪzÉ™n/Rhymes: -eɪzÉ™n

    Alternative forms

    Origin

    From Middle English brasen, from Old English bræsen ("brazen, of brass"), equivalent to brass + -en (compare golden).

    Online Etymology Dictionary

    Sense was originally literally “of brass”; figurative verb sense "brazen it out" (face impudently) from 1550s, and adjective sense “impudent” from 1570s. Figurative sense perhaps evoking “face unmoving, not showing shame”.

    Full definition of brazen

    Adjective

    brazen

    1. (archaic) Pertaining to, made of, or resembling brass (in color or strength).
      • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 31.Brazen or rather copper swords seem to have been next introduced; these in process of time, workmen learned to harden by the addition of some other metal or mineral, which rendered them almost equal in temper to iron.
      • 1918 , Edgar Rice Burroughs , The Gods of Mars Chapter , ... an open sea, its blue waters shimmering beneath the brazen sun.
    2. Sounding harsh and loud, like brass cymbals or brass instruments.
    3. (archaic) Extremely strong; impenetrable.
    4. Shamelessly shocking and offensive; impudent; barefaced; immodest; or unblushing.Brazen enough to spit on one of her students during class and wipe it in with her hand.

    Related terms

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To carry through in a brazen manner. Generally used with out or through.
      • W. Black.Sabina brazened it out before Mrs. Wygram, but inwardly she was resolved to be a good deal more circumspect.

    Derived terms

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