bruins
n. countable C2 Proficiency US //ˈbɹuɪnz// UK //bɹˈuːɪnz// bru·ins
n. a name for brown bears, often used in stories or to talk about certain sports teams. It is an old-fashioned way to refer to these large animals.
n. a literary or archaic term for brown bears, derived from the Dutch word for brown. In modern North American English, it is most frequently encountered as a proper name for various athletic teams.
The local team is known as the Bruins.
In the old folk tale, the clever fox managed to outsmart the powerful bruin and steal his honey.
Usage
Usually pluralized as 'bruins' when referring to teams; when used as a common noun for a bear, it is often capitalized in older literature as a proper name for the character.