n.

1. a dense growth of bushes;
   brushwood, coppice, copse, thicket
2. an implement that has hairs or bristles firmly set into a handle
3. momentary contact;
   light touch
4. conducts current between rotating and stationary parts of a generator or motor
5. a minor short-term fight;
   clash, encounter, skirmish
6. the act of brushing your teeth;
   brushing
   
   • the dentist recommended two brushes a day
7. the act of brushing your hair;
   brushing
   
   • he gave his hair a quick brush
8. contact with something dangerous or undesirable
   
   • I had a brush with danger on my way to work
   • he tried to avoid any brushes with the police

v.

1. rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
   
   • Johnson brushed the hairs from his jacket
2. touch lightly and briefly
   
   • He brushed the wall lightly
3. clean with a brush
   
   • She brushed the suit before hanging it back into the closet
4. sweep across or over;
   sweep
   
   • Her long skirt brushed the floor
   • A gasp swept cross the audience
5. remove with or as if with a brush
   
   • brush away the crumbs
   • brush the dust from the jacket
   • brush aside the objections
6. cover by brushing
   
   • brush the bread with melted butter