brick: Meaning and Definition of

brick

Pronunciation: (brik), [key]
— n.
  1. a block of clay hardened by drying in the sun or burning in a kiln, and used for building, paving, etc.: traditionally, in the U.S., a rectangle 2 × 3 × 8 in. (5.7 × 9.5 × 20.3 cm), red, brown, or yellow in color.
  2. such blocks collectively.
  3. the material of which such blocks are made.
  4. any block or bar having a similar size and shape: a gold brick; an ice-cream brick.
  5. the length of a brick as a measure of thickness, as of a wall: one and a half bricks thick.
  6. an admirably good or generous person.
  7. to make a social gaffe or blunder, esp. an indiscreet remark.
  8. With contract talks stalled, workers are threatening to hit the bricks.
    1. to walk the streets, esp. as an unemployed or homeless person.
    2. to go on strike:With contract talks stalled, workers are threatening to hit the bricks.Also,take to the bricks.
  9. To form governments without the consent of the people is to make bricks without straw.
    1. to plan or act on a false premise or unrealistic basis.
    2. to create something that will not last:To form governments without the consent of the people is to make bricks without straw.
    3. to perform a task despite the lack of necessary materials.
—v.t.
  1. to pave, line, wall, fill, or build with brick.
—adj.
  1. made of, constructed with, or resembling bricks.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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