The Collaborative International Dictionary
Brush \Brush\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brushed (br[u^]sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Brushing.] [OE. bruschen; cf. F. brosser. See Brush, n.]
To apply a brush to, according to its particular use; to rub, smooth, clean, paint, etc., with a brush. ``A' brushes his hat o' mornings.''
--Shak.-
To touch in passing, or to pass lightly over, as with a brush.
Some spread their sailes, some with strong oars sweep The waters smooth, and brush the buxom wave.
--Fairfax.Brushed with the kiss of rustling wings.
--Milton. -
To remove or gather by brushing, or by an act like that of brushing, or by passing lightly over, as wind; -- commonly with off.
As wicked dew as e'er my mother brushed With raven's feather from unwholesome fen.
--Shak.And from the boughts brush off the evil dew.
--Milton.To brush aside, to remove from one's way, as with a brush.
To brush away, to remove, as with a brush or brushing motion.
To brush up, to paint, or make clean or bright with a brush; to cleanse or improve; to renew.
You have commissioned me to paint your shop, and I have done my best to brush you up like your neighbors.
--Pope.
Usage examples of "to brush away".
I kept this to remind me of you trying to brush away the Villa Rossa from your teeth in the morning, swearing and eating aspirin and cursing harlots.
And he plucked the spear from his chest with less effort than it might take to brush away a fly.
The breeze picked at his unbound hair and blew it across the top of his shoulder as if to brush away dust.
By his side lay a rush leaf fan and from time to time he would use it to brush away the flies that landed on his sores.
I reached up with my left hand to brush away a straying lock that I might keep close attention upon those three—.
Ayla said, trying to brush away with her hand the icicles hanging in matted clumps to Whinney's long shaggy hair.
The summers were too hot and the heavy snows of winter were too deep to brush away.
Justen climbed to his feet, trying to brush away the dirt and a glob of manure that had stuck to his tunic.
Neither the Captain nor the gray mare looked in the least affected by the long night or the hard ride, yet Newt found himself so moved by the mere sight of them sitting there that he had to brush away yet another tear and smudge his dusty cheek even worse.