Brow

Pronunciation

• IPA: /braÊŠ/
• Rhymes: -aÊŠ

Origin

Middle English browe, from Old English brū, from Proto-Germanic *brūwō, from Proto-Indo-European *bhreu 'brow', *h₃bʰrúHs (cf. Middle Irish brúad, Tocharian B pärwāne ‘eyebrows’, Lithuanian bruvìs, Serbo-Croatian obrva, Ancient Greek ὀφρύς, Sanskrit भ्रू).

Full definition of brow

Noun

1. The ridge over the eyes; the eyebrow (Eyebrow).
• ChurchillAnd his arched brow, pulled o'er his eyes,
  With solemn proof proclaims him wise.
2. The first tine of an antler's beam.
3. The forehead (Forehead).
• ShakespeareBeads of sweat have stood upon thy brow.
• 1913, w, Lord Stranleigh Abroad Chapter 5, Mr. Banks’ panama hat was in one hand, while the other drew a handkerchief across his perspiring brow.
4. The projecting upper edge of a steep place such as a hill.the brow of a precipice
5. (nautical) The gangway from ship to shore when a ship is lying alongside a quay.
6. (nautical) The hinged part of a landing craft or ferry which is lowered to form a landing platform; a ramp.
7. An eyebrow.
• Shakespeare'Tis not your inky brows, your black silk hair.

Derived terms

• beetle-browed
• eyebrow

Synonyms

• forehead

Verb

1. To bound or limit; to be at, or form, the edge of.
• MiltonTending my flocks hard by i' the hilly crofts
  That brow this bottom glade.