Word
brash
US/ˈbɹæʃ/
UK/bɹˈæʃ/
Definitions
01bold and rude
adj. behaving in a way that is too confident, loud, and often rude or annoying.
adj. overly self-assertive or bold in a manner that is tactless, impudent, or insensitive to others.
“The young manager was so brash that he offended several long-term clients.”
“His brash approach to the negotiations alienated the senior partners, who were accustomed to a more subtle and diplomatic style of communication.”
Informal
Teaching tip
This sense carries a strong negative connotation; it implies a lack of respect for social boundaries.
03rock fragments
n. broken pieces of rock found just under the soil.
n. broken and angular rock fragments underlying alluvial deposits or soil.
“The geologist examined the brash to determine the type of rock beneath the field.”
“Excavation revealed a thick layer of limestone brash, which made the initial stages of the foundation work particularly difficult.”
Technical
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the material in general.
04hedge debris
n. small twigs and leaves that fall under a hedge or tree.
n. leaf litter consisting of small leaves and twigs, typically found beneath a hedge or in a forest.
“We spent the afternoon clearing the brash from the bottom of the garden.”
“The forest floor was covered in a dense layer of brash, providing a habitat for various small insects and fungi.”
British English · Technical
Teaching tip
Common in British forestry and gardening contexts.
Real-World Examples
“Manhunter is a brash, queasy, bold thriller; yet for me, it is a curtain-raiser for the main event.” Etymology
Uncertain. Perhaps from Scots brash, brasch (“a violent onset; an attack or assault”). Perhaps also related to Dutch bars (“stern; strict”), German barsch (“harsh; unfriendly”), Danish barsk (“harsh; rough; tough”), Swedish barsk (“harsh; impetuous”).
Compare American English bresk, brusk (“fragile, brittle”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/brash