Brazen
Pronunciation
- enPR: brÄzʹn, 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 brassâ€; figurative verb sense "brazen it out" (face impudently) from 1550s, and adjective sense “impudent†from 1570s. Figurative sense perhaps evoking “face unmoving, not showing shameâ€.
Full definition of brazen
Adjective
brazen
- (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.
- Sounding harsh and loud, like brass cymbals or brass instruments.
- (archaic) Extremely strong; impenetrable.
- 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.
Derived terms
Related terms
Verb
- (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.