brush1

noun

• 1an implement with a handle and a block of bristles, hair, or wire, used especially for cleaning, applying a liquid or powder to a surface, or arranging the hair:a shaving brush
• an act of sweeping, applying, or arranging with a brush or with one’s hand:he gave the seat a brush

• 2a light and fleeting touch:the lightest brush of his lips against her cheek
• a brief encounter with someone or something unpleasant or notable:a brush with death my first brush with fame

• 3the bushy tail of a fox.

• 4 (usually brushes) a drumstick with long wire bristles, used to make a soft hissing sound on drums or cymbals.

• 5a piece of carbon or metal serving as an electrical contact with a moving part in a motor or alternator.

• 6 [mass noun] Australian/NZ informal girls or women regarded sexually:‘Beer first, brush later.’

  [ 1940s: probably from brush in the sense 'animal's tail', by association with tail 'buttocks' (see tail¹)]

verb

• 1 [with adverbial] remove (dust or dirt) by sweeping or scrubbing:we’ll be able to brush the mud off easily
• use a brush or one’s hand to remove dust or dirt from (something):she brushed down her best coat
• clean (one’s teeth) with a brush.
• arrange (one’s hair) by running a brush through it: she carefully made up her face and brushed her long auburn hair
• apply a liquid to (a surface) with a brush:brush the potatoes with oil

• 2 [no object] touch lightly and gently:stems of grass brush against her legs their fingers brushed as she took the glass from him
• [with object] push (something) away with a quick movement of the hand:she brushed a wisp of hair away from her face