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brush

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noun British English pronunciation: brush /brʌʃ/ 
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singularbrush
pluralbrushes
  1. 2
    [singular] an instance of making something clean or tidy using a brush
    give something a brush:

    I’ll give my teeth a brush before we leave.

  2. 3
    [singular] a very gentle movement against something

    the brush of his hand against her arm

  3. 4
    [countable] a short experience of a dangerous or unpleasant situation
    brush with:

    He’d had a few brushes with the law, but nothing serious.

    We’d had a brush with death that left us terrified.

    1. a.
      a short argument or minor disagreement with someone

      He turned out to be the man she’d had the brush with when she first arrived.

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