brushed

v. used a brush to clean or tidy something, like your hair or teeth.

v. the past tense of 'brush', indicating the act of cleaning, smoothing, or grooming with a tool consisting of bristles.

“He brushed his teeth for two minutes before going to bed.”

“She brushed her hair until it shone, removing the tangles that had formed during her long walk in the wind.”

v. touched something very lightly while moving past it.

v. the past tense of 'brush', indicating a light, glancing contact against a surface while in motion.

“The cat's tail brushed against my leg as it walked past.”

“The branches brushed against the side of the car as we drove down the narrow, overgrown country lane.”

adj. having a soft, fuzzy surface or a smooth, dull finish.

adj. describing a material surface that has been treated with an abrasive to create a nap or a matte, non-reflective finish.

“This brushed cotton shirt is very warm and soft to the touch.”

“The interior designer recommended brushed steel fixtures to avoid the glare and fingerprints associated with polished chrome.”

adj. describing bees that have been moved off a honeycomb using a soft brush.

adj. referring to a swarm or colony of bees that has been artificially formed by brushing the insects off the comb.

“The beekeeper collected the brushed bees into a new hive box.”

“Brushed bees are often used to populate new colonies, though the process must be done gently to avoid agitating the queen.”

Technical