Dictionary

brain en · NOUN

Pronunciation

(US) audio
/ˈbɹeɪ̯n/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
/ˈbɾen/ (Scotland)
/ˈbɾein/ (Wales) without the pane–pain merger
/ˈbɹæ̝ɪ̯n/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
(UK) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mregʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-n̥ Proto-Indo-European *mrógʰ-n̥ ~ *mrégʰ-n̥-s Proto-Germanic *bragną Proto-West Germanic *bragn Old English bræġn Middle English brayn English brain Inherited from Middle English brayn, from Old English bræġn, from Proto-West Germanic *bragn, from Proto-Germanic *bragną, from Proto-Indo-European *mrógʰ-n̥ ~ *mrégʰ-n̥-s, from *mregʰ- + *-n̥. Cognate with Scots braine, brane (“brain”), North Frisian brayen, brein, Brain (“brain”), Saterland Frisian Brainge, Bräienge (“brain”), West Frisian brein (“brain”), Dutch brein (“brain”), Low German Brägen, Bregen (“brain”) (whence German Bregen (“animal brain”)), Ancient Greek βρεχμός (brekhmós, “front part of the skull, top of the head”).

Meanings

(countable, uncountable) The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action.
- Irregular bedtimes may disrupt healthy brain development in young children, according to a study of intelligence and sleeping habits. ¶ Going to bed at a different time each night affected girls more than boys, but both fared worse on mental tasks than children who had a set bedtime, researchers found. 2013 July 19, Ian Sample, “Irregular bedtimes may affect children's brains”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 34:
- The Ueynes are ſpred foorth throughout the whole bodie, howbeit from one welhead, that is to ſay from the Liuer: ſo be the Sinews, howbeit from the Brayne; So likewiſe are the Heartſtrings, howbeit from the Heart. 1587, Philip of Mornay [i.e., Philippe de Mornay], “That there is but Onely One God”, in Philip Sidney, Arthur Golding, transl., A Woorke Concerning the Trewnesse of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] [John Charlewood and] George Robinson for Thomas Cadman, […], →OCLC, page 18:
- The brain of a calf, sheep, and pig, young and served fresh, is reputedly erotic in its effects. 1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 49:
(countable, uncountable) The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action. ▸ A part of the brain, especially associated with particular mental functions, abilities, etc.
- The left brain, or that which supplies and animates the right side of the body, is the most active brain, as a general rule. 1892, Benjamin Ward Richardson, The Asclepiad, London, page 357:
- What is expressed in the lotus, the plumed serpent, or the staff of Osiris is the yogi's knowledge of the three brains of man. The first brain is the reptilian brain of the spinal cord, the brain of instinctive reflexes, the brain of the subconscious. 1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 113:
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull, consisting of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem, which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action. ▸ skull; head
- caused the young Princess, the King's only Daughter, to be taken and thrust into a large velvet Sack, and her Brains to be knockt out with great Bars 1690, “Preface to the Reader”, in A Full and True Relation of the Great and Wonderful Revolution That Hapned Lately in the Kingdom of Siam in the East-Indies, London: Randal Taylor, page ii:
(countable, informal, uncountable) Mind.
- And I should tell him all my pain, / ⁠And how my life had droop’d of late, / ⁠And he should sorrow o’er my state / And marvel what possess’d my brain; […] 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XIV”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 22:
- I have too much on my brain today.
(countable, in-plural, uncountable) Intellect.
- She has a lot of brains.
- "We provided a lot of brains and a lot of heart to the response when it was needed," says Sandra Sanchez, director of AFSC's Immigrants' Voice Program in Des Moines. 2008 Quaker Action (magazine) Rights trampled in rush to deport immigrant workers, Fall 2008, Vol. 89, No. 3, p. 8
(countable, informal, uncountable) An intelligent person.
- Peebee: The brains and I are comparing Remnant notes and filling in the blanks. 2017, BioWare, Mass Effect: Andromeda (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Nexus:
- She was a total brain.
(countable, informal, plural, plural-only, uncountable) An intelligent person. ▸ A person who provides the intelligence required for something.
- He is the brains behind the scheme.
(countable, informal, singular, uncountable) An intelligent person. ▸ An intellectual or mental capacity.
- Gerald always acts like he doesn't have a brain.
(countable, uncountable) By analogy with a human brain, the part of a machine or computer that performs calculations.
- The computer's brain is capable of millions of calculations a second.
(slang, uncountable, vulgar) Oral sex.
- You said I got brain from your dame in the range / In the passing lane / But you really ain't got no proof 2012, Mack Maine featuring Turk and Mystikal, I'm On It:
- Got your nigga going / Going insane and so do I when he give me brain 2012, “Boss Ass Bitch”, performed by PTAF:
- She giving brain / She eat the dick up like some M&Ms 2018, “Squidrific”, performed by SahBabii:
- Have you ever popped champagne on a plane, while gettin' some brain? 2007, “Good Life”, in Graduation, performed by Kanye West ft. T-Pain:
(countable, uncountable) A loose compartment of a backpack that straps on over the top opening.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
brains	Number=Plur		lexicographic
brayne		alternative	lexicographic

Translations (476)

es seso (brains: intellect) · ml മൂള (organ) · vec çarvèl (organ) · ja 知力 (brains: intellect) · kky garu (organ) · sc cerbeddu (organ) · ky мээ (organ) · gd eanchainn (organ) · sw ubongo (organ) · crh dimağ (organ) · pl intelekt (brains: intellect) · el μυαλό (intelligent person) · mak uta (organ) · fy harsens (organ) · yi געהירן (organ) · tr beyin (part of computer) · uk глузд (brains: intellect) · mnc ᡶᡝᡥᡳ (organ) · fa دِمَاغ (organ) · sc carvedha (organ) · ar مخ (organ) · de Köpfchen (brains: intellect) · rap roro (organ) · egy a-m-m-H8 (organ) · lv smadzenes (organ) · tr us (brains: intellect) · bn বুদ্ধি (brains: intellect) · bn মস্তিষ্ক (organ) · ru голова́ (person providing intelligence) · frr Brain (organ) · wbp ngukunypa (organ) · ja 頭脳 (organ) · pms sërvel (organ) · lv smadzenes (brains: intellect) · ga inchinn (organ) · it cervella (organ) · yue 腦 /脑 (brains: intellect) · zlw-osk mozgy (organ) · kix khǖîe (person providing intelligence) · ka ტვინი (organ) · de Kopf (person providing intelligence) · sc carbeddu (organ) · kn ಮೆದುಳು (organ) · arc ܡܘܚܐ (organ) · ti ሓንጎል (organ) · tg мағз (organ) · kn ಮಿದುಳು (organ) · el εγκέφαλος (person providing intelligence) · yo ọpọlọ (organ) · bug uta (organ) · evn иргэ (organ) · sa मस्तिष्क (organ) · mt moħħ (organ) · zh 腦部 /脑部 (organ) · he שֵׂכֶל (brains: intellect) · be глузд (brains: intellect) · fy brein (organ) · ota بینی (organ) · hil utok (organ) · zh 腦部 /脑部 (organ) · ru голова́ (brains: intellect) · mrw otek (organ) · rup mãduã (roa-rup) (organ) · egy A-i-s-Aa3:n-D:n-n:t-tp-Z1 (organ) · ivb otek (ivv) (organ) · nah cuātextli (organ) · be рассу́дак (brains: intellect) · ja 頭のいい人 (intelligent person) · ht sèvèl (organ) · ko 골 (organ) · yo ọ̀bụ́tụ̀n (organ) · be мо́заг (organ) · et aju (organ) · ast cerebru (brains: intellect) · fi äly (brains: intellect) · mg atidoha (organ) · uk ро́зум (brains: intellect) · tao etek (organ) · sc gerbedhu (organ) · ast cerebru (organ) · tr bilge (intelligent person) · sw bongo (brains: intellect) · hak 頭腦 /头脑 (organ) · haw lolo (organ) · fi järki (brains: intellect) · eo menso (brains: intellect) · ms benak (organ) · ml ബുദ്ധികേന്ദ്രം (person providing intelligence) · dv ސިކުނޑި (organ) · uk мо́зок (person providing intelligence) · sl možgani (brains: intellect) · ota مخ (organ) · ru башка́ (brains: intellect) · mhr вуйдорык (organ) · he מוח \ מֹחַ (organ) · vec servèl (organ) · ltg smedzinis (organ) · nl breinbaas (intelligent person) · zh 智者 (person providing intelligence) · zku mukamuka (organ) · et mõistus (brains: intellect) · xal экн (organ) · vec zerveło (organ) · kk ми (organ) · ceb utok (organ) · el μυαλά (organ) · eve иргэ (organ) · ar دماغ (organ) · cs mozek (person providing intelligence) · tr öke (intelligent person) · tyz oóc éc (organ) · grc ἐγκέφαλος (organ) · be мозг (organ) · sv hjärna (organ) · jv utek (organ) · rue мо́зоґ (organ) · ro erudit (intelligent person) · pi matthaluṅga (organ) · tl talino (brains: intellect) · pt crânio (intelligent person) · fi aivot (part of computer) · ru мозг (person providing intelligence) · njo-jgl tokolok (organ) · sc carveddu (organ) · vi óc (organ) · hi बुद्धिमान (intelligent person) · ja 頭脳 (brains: intellect) · de Gehirn (organ) · akl utok (organ) · ne मस्तिष्क (organ) · fi älykkyys (brains: intellect) · aer akurrknge (organ) · et aru (brains: intellect) · ja 脳 (organ) · sah мэйии (organ) · el νοημοσύνη (brains: intellect) · eo intelekto (brains: intellect) · et aju (part of computer) · yue 腦部 /脑部 (organ) · sa तेजस (organ) · de Hirn (brains: intellect) · hu agy (organ) · fr tête (intelligent person) · zh 腦 /脑 (organ) · te మెదడు (organ) · sat ᱵᱷᱮᱡᱟ (organ) · za uk (organ) · gd eanchainn (brains: intellect) · dlm carviale (organ) · fr processeur (part of computer) · nl brein (intelligent person) · fi aivot (person providing intelligence) · es cerebro (organ) · tnl nenourək (organ) · cu ⰿⱁⰸⰳⱏ (organ) · za ngog (organ) · sh mȍzak (organ) · sv hjärna (person providing intelligence) · hy խելքի տոպրակ (intelligent person) · pt cabeça (intelligent person) · bn দেমাগ (organ) · eo cerbo (organ) · koi вем (organ) · so maskax (organ) · ab ахшыбаҩ (organ) · dar мехӏе (organ) · lv prāts (brains: intellect) · ml ബുദ്ധിമാന് (intelligent person) · sw bongo (intelligent person) · vec serveło (organ) · sc cherveddu (organ) · nl verstand (brains: intellect) · io cerebro (organ) · zh 聰明人 /聪明人 (intelligent person) · zh 智力 (brains: intellect) · inh хьоа (organ) · niv ӈаўр̌к (organ) · br empenn (organ) · ru рассу́док (brains: intellect) · ja 秀才 (intelligent person) · wo yóor (organ) · pam utak (organ) · krl aivot (organ) · bg разсъ́дък (brains: intellect) · vec çervèl (organ) · sc ciorbedhu (organ) · zh 腦子 /脑子 (organ) · bkd utek (organ) · jje 머릿골 (organ) · nn hjerne (organ) · eo encefalo (organ) · de Intelligenzbestie (intelligent person) · xdq маъ (organ) · tr beyin (organ) · zza mezg (diq) (organ) · vec cèlebro (organ) · ko 머릿골 (organ) · ang bræġn (organ) · zh нозы (organ) · ar مخ (organ) · orv мозгъ (organ) · hi बुद्धि (brains: intellect) · rup crier (roa-rup) (organ) · osx hirni (organ) · pt cabeça (person providing intelligence) · th สมอง (organ) · tsg utuk (organ) · ta மூளை (organ) · as মগজু (organ) · ota مغز (organ) · sc cerbedhu (organ) · duo utak (organ) · vo brein (organ) · vot ajud (organ) · ilo utek (organ) · kmr mejî (organ) · wuu 腦子 /脑子 (organ) · ps ماغزه (organ) · hsb mozy (organ) · da hjerne (organ) · nod ᩋᩬᨠᩋᩴᩬ (organ) · el εγκέφαλος (part of computer) · bn জ্ঞানী (intelligent person) · tl matalino (intelligent person) · fi älykkö (intelligent person) · hi मस्तिष्क (organ) · af brein (organ) · mi roro (organ) · rup midulj (roa-rup) (organ) · hi दिमाग़ (organ) · ar مخ (organ) · ja 知識人 (person providing intelligence) · ota دماغ (organ) · fo heili (organ) · ru мозг (organ) · sco harn (organ) · az beyin (organ) · st boko (organ) · el ιδιοφυΐα (intelligent person) · el νους (brains: intellect) · xsv stirgena (organ) · yi מוח (organ) · kix khǖîe (organ) · qu togşu (organ) · za ukek (organ) · alt мее (organ) · bn মেধা (brains: intellect) · ca cervell (organ) · sne otok (organ) · bn মগজ (organ) · scn ciriveddu (organ) · ar نفوخ (organ) · ja 識者 (person providing intelligence) · ady куцӏы (organ) · zza megz (diq) (organ) · mr मेंदू (organ) · rsk мозоґ (organ) · ja 脳髄 (organ) · ar مخ (organ) · cs mozek (organ) · el μυαλό (person providing intelligence) · ovd ienne (organ) · tyv мээ (organ) · de Superhirn (intelligent person) · chr ᎤᏅᏥᏓ (organ) · ca cervell (person providing intelligence) · fr cerveau (organ) · ar دِمَاغ (organ) · rif amerɣiɣ (organ) · qu ñutgo (organ) · kn ಮಸ್ತಿಷ್ಕ (organ) · wa cervea (organ) · ki tombo (organ) · ja 知的指導者 (person providing intelligence) · hi मग़्ज़ (organ) · el διάνοια (intelligent person) · hy մոզգ (intelligent person) · cdo 頭腦 /头脑 (organ) · fr cervelle (organ) · pl mózg (person providing intelligence) · sh мо̏зак (organ) · ms otak (organ) · ce хьекъал (organ) · km ខួរក្បាល (organ) · kea cerébr' (organ) · tr anlak (brains: intellect) · ko 두뇌 (organ) · myv удем (organ) · izh aivo (organ) · lt protas (brains: intellect) · ur دِماغ (organ) · nn heile (organ) · el εγκέφαλος (organ) · pl rozum (brains: intellect) · ja 知能 (brains: intellect) · vec zhervèl (organ) · es sesudez (brains: intellect) · ar دماغ (organ) · fi aivot (brains: intellect) · fa مَغْز (organ) · sc tzalbedhu (organ) · nb hjerne (organ) · ar مخ (organ) · zku ngarumuka (organ) · sw bongo (part of computer) · id benak (organ) · crh miy (organ) · bg мо́зък (organ) · apw bitsighąąʼ (organ) · mfa اوْتاوْء (organ) · ja 智者 (intelligent person) · ar مُخ (organ) · ko 뇌수 (organ) · uk розсу́док (brains: intellect) · sc celbedhu (organ) · fi aivot (organ) · yrk-tun нгэвэй (organ) · lo ສະໝອງ (organ) · ml തലച്ചോറ് (organ) · gl cerebro (organ) · nl brein (organ) · kea sirébru (organ) · it encefalo (organ) · sc carvedhu (organ) · mn тархи (organ) · sk mozog (organ) · id otak (organ) · fur cerviel (organ) · pt cérebro (organ) · pa دِماغ (organ) · ru головно́й мозг (organ) · fr cerveau (person providing intelligence) · yue 腦 /脑 (organ) · dsb mórzgi (organ) · es cerebral (organ) · oj niinindib (organ) · uz miya (organ) · os магъз (organ) · sc cialbedhu (organ) · si මොළයේ (organ) · nl hersenen (organ) · csb mùsk (organ) · rif aǧi (organ) · kyi utek (organ) · bg ум (brains: intellect) · vec sarveło (organ) · wuu 腦 /脑 (organ) · jje 골머리 (organ) · eo cerbo (brains: intellect) · mn ᠲᠠᠷᠢᠬᠢ (organ) · cv миме (organ) · bn বিদ্যান (intelligent person) · ru ум (brains: intellect) · uk мо́зок (organ) · mhr вем (organ) · nl brein (person providing intelligence) · kea cerebro (organ) · ru мозг (brains: intellect) · or ମସ୍ତିଷ୍କ (organ) · mdf уй (organ) · hi भेजा (organ) · bcl hutok (organ) · fr encéphale (organ) · my ဦးနှောက် (organ) · kw ympynnyon (organ) · be ро́зум (brains: intellect) · myv пряудем (organ) · eu garun (organ) · sat ᱦᱟᱛᱟᱲ (organ) · war utok (organ) · sc carbedhu (organ) · vec zharvèl (organ) · ur مَغْز (organ) · ia cerebro (organ) · lb Gehir (organ) · af harsings (organ) · th มันสมอง (organ) · tkl māfaufau (organ) · mba otok (organ) · zh 頭腦 /头脑 (organ) · fa مَغْز (organ) · oc cervèl (organ) · it cervello (organ) · kmr demax (organ) · ar دِماغ (organ) · ko 뇌 (organ) · hy ուղեղ (organ) · bh दिमाग (organ) · hy գլուխ (person providing intelligence) · kpv вем (organ) · vi não (organ) · dak nasúna (organ) · bo ཀླད་པ (organ) · pl mózg (organ) · xsv mazgena (organ) · cs mozek (part of computer) · lez мефтӏ (organ) · lbe ня (organ) · nv atsiighąąʼ (organ) · hy խելք (brains: intellect) · khb ᦀᦸᧅᧈᦶᦀᧅᧈ (organ) · msk otok (organ) · vi trí óc (brains: intellect) · ckb مێشک (organ) · tet kakutak (organ) · ml ബുദ്ധി (brains: intellect) · ml തലച്ചോറ് (person providing intelligence) · tyz oóc áy (organ) · ru мозги́ (organ) · de Hirn (organ) · ml മസ്തിഷ്കം (organ) · lmo cervell (organ) · sl možgani (organ) · yrk-tun немэй (organ) · wrh kábuka (organ) · mfe servo (organ) · fr cerveau (intelligent person) · fa دِماغ (organ) · goh hirni (organ) · de Grips (brains: intellect) · tt ми (organ) · an celebro (organ) · cy ymennydd (organ) · zh 腦 /脑 (organ) · pt intelecto (brains: intellect) · pa ਦਿਮਾਗ਼ (organ) · sw bongo (person providing intelligence) · ce хье (organ) · gld игэ (organ) · om sammuu (organ) · cu мозгъ (organ) · mnp 頭腦 /头脑 (organ) · tr çaşıt (person providing intelligence) · nl intellect (brains: intellect) · te మస్తిష్కము (organ) · ar دماغ (organ) · tl utak (organ) · ur بھیجا (organ) · lt smegenys (organ) · ja 脳 (organ) · el μυαλό (brains: intellect) · pl głowa (brains: intellect) · is heili (organ) · nds Brägen (organ) · gu મગજ (organ) · nrf chèrvé (nrm) (organ) · bua тархи (organ) · bn শাস্ত্রজ্ঞ (person providing intelligence) · nl hersens (organ) · de Verstand (brains: intellect) · mk мозок (organ) · hy խելք (intelligent person) · bg мо́зък (intelligent person) · unm tëmp (organ) · tk beýin (organ) · sq tru (organ) · rm tscharvè (organ) · am አንጐል (organ) · ro creier (organ) · bdr utok (organ) · mi ihomatua (brains: intellect) · ug مېڭە (organ) · hi मग्ज (organ) · sv förstånd (brains: intellect) · shn ဢွၵ်းဢေႃ (organ) · kl qarasaq (organ) · ro intelect (brains: intellect) · ht sèvo (organ) · la cerebrum (organ) · fur čurviel (organ) · mi mōhio (intelligent person) · sc ciobedhus (organ) · et taip (brains: intellect) · et aju (intelligent person) · bg мо́зък (person providing intelligence) · ba мейе (organ)

wikidata: Q1073 · wikidata: Q1073 · wikidata: Q1073

brain en · VERB

Pronunciation

(US) audio
/ˈbɹeɪ̯n/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
/ˈbɾen/ (Scotland)
/ˈbɾein/ (Wales) without the pane–pain merger
/ˈbɹæ̝ɪ̯n/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
(UK) audio

Etymology

Meanings

(transitive) To dash out the brains of; to kill by smashing the skull.
(transitive) To strike (someone) on the head.
- Lambdon would require medical attention for a fractured skull. It seemed that Fen had passed his wife a couple of telling pictures, whereupon the drab Mrs. Lambdon had brained her husband with a table lamp. 2014, K.J. Charles, Think of England, page 166:
(figuratively, transitive) To destroy; to put an end to.
- He was going on with some wild reminiscences about his tomahawk-pipe, which, it seemed, had in its two uses both brained his foes and soothed his soul, when we were directly attracted to the sleeping rigger. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter 21, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
- It was the ſwift celeritie of his death / […] That brain'd my purpoſe: c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 82, column 2:
- There thou maiſt braine him, 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 12:
(obsolete, transitive) To conceive in the mind; to understand.
- 'Tis still a dream, or else such stuff as madmen / Tongue, and brain not. 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv]:
(humorous, intransitive, nonstandard) To think effectively.
- My brain isn't braining right now.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Source
braining	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
brains	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres	lexicographic
brained	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
brained	Tense=Past	lexicographic

Translations (9)

sw bongo (to kill a person by smashing the skull) · fi iskeä päähän (to strike on the head) · fi kolkata (to strike on the head) · sw bongo (to strike on the head) · ja 脳を打ち砕く (to kill a person by smashing the skull) · ja 頭を殴りつける (to strike on the head) · fi murskata kallo (to kill a person by smashing the skull) · bn মাথায় আঘাত করে হত্যা (to kill a person by smashing the skull) · fi lyödä aivot pihalle (to kill a person by smashing the skull)

brain en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Deriveds

Holonyms

Hypernyms

Meronyms

Synonyms

Translations (476)

brain en · VERB

Pronunciation

Etymology

Meanings

Forms

Translations (9)