From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
brass
n 1: an alloy of copper and zinc
2: a wind instrument that consists of a brass tube (usually of
variable length) that is blown by means of a cup-shaped or
funnel-shaped mouthpiece [syn: brass, brass instrument]
3: the persons (or committees or departments etc.) who make up a
body for the purpose of administering something; "he claims
that the present administration is corrupt"; "the governance
of an association is responsible to its members"; "he quickly
became recognized as a member of the establishment" [syn:
administration, governance, governing body,
establishment, brass, organization, organisation]
4: impudent aggressiveness; "I couldn't believe her boldness";
"he had the effrontery to question my honesty" [syn:
boldness, nerve, brass, face, cheek]
5: an ornament or utensil made of brass
6: the section of a band or orchestra that plays brass
instruments [syn: brass section, brass]
7: a memorial made of brass [syn: brass, memorial tablet,
plaque]