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bricknoun1 & adjective1

Etymology

Summary

Apparently a borrowing from Dutch.

Etymon: Dutch brycke.

Apparently < Middle Dutch brycke (although this is first attested later: 1552 in a late copy of a 13th-cent. document; Dutch brik), probably the same word as Dutch brik disc-shaped gaming piece (late 16th cent. in Kiliaan), and brik fragment, piece, something broken off (1615), all probably ultimately < the Germanic base of break v.

Earlier currency of the Middle Dutch word is confirmed by the following borrowing into French, which probably also influenced the English word: Old French (northern) brike, Middle French, French brique building block made from baked clay, brick (late 13th cent.; early 13th cent. in the sense ‘round, flat gaming piece’, in an isolated attestation), kind of loaf (15th cent.), other material moulded into the shape of a brick (1611).

Notes

Compare also Old French, Middle French briche small piece, bit (used to reinforce negation, in e.g. pas une briche not a bit), insignificant person (both second half of the 13th cent.), building block made from baked clay, brick (beginning of the 14th cent., rare), which is apparently a variant of the same word, showing the regular central Old French development of k in this position, although it is unclear whether the existence of this variant indicates an early date of borrowing, or a later analogical development within French.

Potential earlier uses.

Compare the following slightly earlier examples, although it is uncertain whether these should be interpreted as showing the Middle English word or an otherwise unattested Anglo-Norman form. Compare also the abbreviated Briktill' in quot. 1417–18, which probably shows a borrowing of the English compound brick tile into Latin:

1405–6
Brike [at Hornchurch].
in N. Lloyd, Hist. Eng. Brickwork (1925) 12
1416–17
[200, 000] de Brykes.
in C. L. Kingsford, Stonor Letters & Papers (1919) vol. I. 30 (Middle English Dictionary)
1417–18
Item..per manus Simonis Sergeaunt pro vj^Ml viij^C tegulis vocatis Brike venditis. Item..pro xxiiij^or M^l iiij^C & dimidio de Briktill' venditis.
Bridge House Rental (London Metropolitan Archives: CLA/007/FN/02/001) f. 70^v

Semantic parallel.

Compare Old English bryce roof tile (in an isolated use), specific use of bryce action of breaking, that which has been broken off (see bruche n.1). This is unlikely to form part of the history of brick n.1 directly (for both historical and phonological reasons), but it shows a sense development parallel to that assumed for the Dutch word.

Historical note.

An earlier English word was tile n.1, which could denote materials for both roofing and building (compare roof tile n., wall-tile n., respectively). Bricks and tiles were known in Anglo-Saxon England mainly from residual Roman material, but were rarely used until the later Middle Ages. Roof tiles were manufactured in England by the 13th cent., but building bricks were apparently imported from the Low Countries at that time (compare Flanders tile n. at Flanders n. I.2a) and only began to be manufactured locally in the 14th cent. Surnames of Dutch origin were still common among brickworkers in England in the 15th cent.

In some early uses, brick n.1 is used interchangeably with tile n.1 (especially in combinations), as illustrated in quot. 1418 at sense A.I.1a (which also cites a Dutch surname).

Meaning & use

Quotations

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Earlier version

brick, n.¹ in OED Second Edition (1989)

In other dictionaries

brike, n.(1) in Middle English Dictionary

noun
1. I.
  The building material, and related senses.
  1. 1. I.1.a.
      1418–
      
      As a mass noun: a building material consisting of moulded blocks, typically made from clay, which are dried or baked to a hard, stonelike consistency; bricks (see sense A.I.1b) collectively, brickwork.
      The clay used in brick is often kneaded together with some kind of tempering agent, such as stone or straw, and is typically fired in a kiln (or, in some traditional cultures, in hot climates, and in the ancient world, dried in the sun). In modern use brick can also be formed from materials other than clay, such as sand and lime or concrete.
      For the earlier use of tile in English, and the origin of brick in the Low Countries, see the historical note in the etymology, and cf. tile n.1 1b, tilestone n. 1.
      1418
      Henry Sondergyltes, brykeman [employed..to make] bryktill [at Deptford. His] tilkylne for making bryke [was enlarged that year].
      in L. F. Salzman, Building in England (1992) viii. 142
      1427
      Waltile voc' Breek.
      Foreign Acct. 5 Henry VI (P.R.O.: E 364/61) m. 1
      1467
      That no chimneys of tre..be suffred..but that the owners make hem of bryke or stone.
      in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith, English Gilds (1870) 372
      1535
      Come on, let vs make bryck & burne it. And they toke bryck for stone.
      Bible (Coverdale) Genesis xi. A
      a1616
      Garden circummur'd with Bricke.
      W. Shakespeare, Measure for Measure (1623) iv. i. 27
      1694
      The Houses are built of Brick, and the greatest part four Stories high, all having Iron Balcones.
      J. Beaumont, Present State of Universe 4
      1776
      Augustus was accustomed to boast that he had found his capital of brick, and that he had left it of marble.
      E. Gibbon, Decline & Fall vol. I. ii. 44
      1837
      By far the greater number of houses in London..are built of brick.
      J. R. McCulloch, Statistical Account of British Empire vol. II. iii. ii. 21
      1889
      The kiln was a structure of adobe, or sun-dried brick, some six feet high.
      Harper's Magazine August 413/2
      1944
      He..built an entirely new wing in brick.
      Connoisseur vol. 113 60/1
      2014
      A bund wall (an embankment..of brick or stone) to try to keep the water out.
      Church Times 19 December 42/3
      bricklaying brickmaking
      society occupation and work materials derived or manufactured material clay compositions baked clay brick [nouns]
      brick1418–
      
      As a mass noun: a building material consisting of moulded blocks, typically made from clay, which are dried or baked to a hard, stonelike…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
    2. I.1.b.
      1427–
      
      As a count noun: a block of this material, typically rectangular and of a standard size, which is bound to others with mortar, end to end, in continuous, usually horizontal, layers or courses to form a solid structure.
      In early use the plural was often unchanged; see e.g. quots. 1427–8, 1611.
      Bricks are generally laid in a characteristic pattern so that the vertical joints between bricks are staggered with respect to those in the courses immediately above and below, to add strength to the structure. The advantage of bricks over masonry as a building material lies in the ease of mass-producing bricks to standard sizes in moulds, and in the fact that they can be lifted and laid using one hand, leaving the other free for holding a trowel to spread the mortar.
      air-brick, arch-brick, coping-brick, face-brick, firebrick, header brick, mud-brick, paving brick, slag-brick, sun-dried brick, etc.: see the first element.
      1427–8
      For a hondred brek to þe same dore vj d.
      in H. Littlehales, Medieval Records of London City Church (1905) 69 (Middle English Dictionary)
      a1460
      If the lond solute be, not herfore Turf like a brik to make of.
      Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembroke Cambridge MS. 243) l. 1508 (Middle English Dictionary)
      c1535
      A litle house..coueryd w^t tyle, w^t a chymney of brikkes.
      in Yorkshire Archæological Journal (1886) vol. 9 329
      1611
      Goe to, let vs make bricke, and burne them thorowly.
      Bible (King James) Genesis xi. 3
      1651
      Our Landlords..have exacted the full taile of the Bricks, when the ground produced no straw.
      Severall Proceedings in Parliament No. 123. 1902
      1677
      Six hundred thousand of Bricks builds a Granary, Two Brick and half thick.
      A. Yarranton, England's Improvement 136
      1724
      Every Brick is to be 9 Inches in Length, 4 Inches and a Quarter of an Inch in Breadth, and 2 Inches and a Quarter of an Inch in Thickness.
      London Gazette No. 6251/3
      1792
      A few Solitary Stones are to be Seen, with a few bricks lately made in a hurry.
      G. Walker, Letter 8 October in G. Washington, Papers (2002) Presidential Series vol. XI. 210
      1849
      Squares, which, when dried by the heat of the sun, served them as bricks.
      A. H. Layard, Nineveh & Remains vol. II. ii. ii. 252
      1909
      White silicate bricks, made from sand and lime under a patented process.
      National Builder June 29/1
      2006
      The..walls rise from the foundations for two or three rows of bricks before the damp-proof course..is added.
      Build It May 68/1
      brickmaking
      society occupation and work materials derived or manufactured material concrete [nouns] brick or block of
      brick1427–
      
      As a count noun: a block of this material, typically rectangular and of a standard size, which is bound to others with mortar, end to end, in…
      building block1792–
      
      A brick-shaped, often hollow unit of stone, concrete, or other building materials used in the construction of a building or other structure.
      breeze-block1923–
      
      A building-block made of ‘breeze’ (or some similar material) (see quot. 1923); so.
      slab1927–
      
      Architecture. A rectangular block of pre-cast, reinforced concrete used in building, esp. in multi-storey constructions.
      hollow block1964–
      
      patio block1969–
      
      A square concrete slab of a kind suitable for making patios.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      society occupation and work materials derived or manufactured material clay compositions baked clay brick [nouns] a brick
      tileOld English–1481
      
      A thin slab of burnt clay, shaped according to the purpose for which it is required; usually unglazed… As used in building generally, and…
      brick1427–
      
      As a count noun: a block of this material, typically rectangular and of a standard size, which is bound to others with mortar, end to end, in…
      brickstonec1453–
      
      A brick. Also: bricks collectively; brickwork.
      wall-tile1790
      
      a. A tile used for lining a wall; †b. northern a brick as distinguished from a roofing tile.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
  2. I.2.
    1793–
    
    A brownish red or orange, the typical colour of brick made from clay having a high iron content. Cf. earlier brick-red n.
    1793
    It is brown brick-coloured, below pale brick; its head spotted.
    J. Leslie, translation of C. Linnaeus in translation of Comte de Buffon, Natural History of Birds vol. V. 134 (note)
    1881
    Red in all its shades, from scarlet to brick, from crimson to vermillion, is quite universal.
    Belfast News Letter 13 January
    1923
    Colours: Brick, Grey, Mauve.
    Daily Mail 17 April 13
    1971
    Coats..colours: orange, mustard, brick, royal.
    Vogue 15 September 129/2
    2002
    100% lambswool ribbed cable pullover sweater in brick.
    Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) 29 October a3/3 (advertisement)
    building
    the world matter colour named colours red or redness [nouns] shades of red brownish red
    rufe?c1400–1652
    
    A brownish-red colour. Cf. rufous, n. B.1.
    red-fallowc1425–1683
    
    colour-de-roy1531–
    
    A cloth of a rich purple colour associated with the French kings (cf. royal purple, n. (a)); this colour itself. Later also: a bright tawny…
    roy1549–1602
    
    = colour-de-roy, n. Also as adj.
    red roan1639–
    
    A colour of an animal's coat consisting of bay or chestnut mixed with white or grey; an animal (esp. a horse) with a coat of this colour.
    rubiginy1657
    
    Reddish discoloration; rustiness.
    rust1716–
    
    A reddish-brown colour resembling that of the coating formed on the surface of metal by oxidation or corrosion.
    brick-red1759–
    
    The colour of red brick; a deep brownish red.
    brick-dust red1776–
    
    With colour words, forming nouns and (rarely) adjectives, as brick-dust brown, brick-dust red, etc.
    morone1777–1890
    
    A deep crimson colour; maroon.
    maroon1779–
    
    A brownish-crimson or claret colour; = morone, n.
    rufous1783–
    
    A brownish-red colour.
    brick1793–
    
    A brownish red or orange, the typical colour of brick made from clay having a high iron content. Cf. earlier brick-red, n.
    tile-red1805–
    
    (Of) a red colour like that of tiles.
    brick dusta1807–
    
    The colour of brick dust, esp. a deep brownish red. Cf. brick, adj.¹ B.2b, brick-red, n.
    worm red1831–
    
    ? dull brownish red; also n.
    cinnamon-red1882–
    
    chaudron1883–
    
    A reddish colour, somewhat resembling copper. Also attributive.
    rosewood1897–
    
    The reddish-brown colour of rosewood.
    tony1921–
    
    A fashion colour between red and brown; also as n. temporary.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
  3. I.3.
    1844–
    
    North American. A building made of brick; a brick-built house. Cf. red brick n. A.2a.
    Now chiefly in advertising and commercial contexts.
    1844
    The tearing down of Frames to make way for Bricks.
    Cist's Advertiser 25 December 1/3
    1869
    When I used to read that they let a bed-ridden man down through the roof of a house..I generally had a three-story brick in my mind.
    ‘M. Twain’, Innocents Abroad xlviii. 504
    1994
    An outstanding home with a panoramic view. 2 storey brick with walk-out basement.
    Walkerton (Ontario) Herald Times 29 June a16 (advertisement)
    2006
    The old river town..boasted many substantial dwellings... There were Federal bricks..and Victorian mansions.
    W. O. Welshans, Jersey Shore i. 26 (caption)
    bricklaying North American English
    society inhabiting and dwelling inhabited place a building building of specific construction [nouns]
    framec1425–1700
    
    A structure made of parts joined or fitted together. A building; esp. one built of wood; a wall; a gate. Obsolete.
    staddlec1563
    
    ‘A building of timber standing on legs or steddles, to raise it out of the mud’ (Kent. Gloss. 1887). Obsolete.
    sided1602–
    
    Of a building or other structure: provided with a side or sides of a specified material (cf. side, v.¹ I.2). Of an area: lined with something at the…
    brick house1608–
    
    A house made of brick.
    dobe1838–
    
    = adobe, n.
    brick1844–
    
    North American. A building made of brick; a brick-built house. Cf. red brick, n. A.2a.
    adobe1852–
    
    U.S. A building made of these bricks, or of the clay from which they are formed (cf. sense 2).
    shell1852–
    
    U.S. A rough, wooden structure, without decoration or furniture.
    cinderblock1868–
    
    †a. A brass or cast iron slab forming part of a blast furnace and containing holes through which slag is discharged during iron smelting (obsolete)…
    tin chapel1884–
    
    Applied disparagingly to buildings (esp. Nonconformist churches) made partly of corrugated iron: tin chapel, tabernacle (cf. tabernacle, n. 6b)…
    brick veneer1885–
    
    A house or other structure built with brick veneer walls.
    red brick1892–
    
    A building made of red brick.
    gambrel1917–
    
    U.S. A building with a gambrel roof.
    weatherboard1925–
    
    A weatherboarded dwelling or other building. Australian.
    Terrapin1949–
    
    The proprietary name of a make of prefabricated building, usually having one storey and designed for temporary use.
    Portakabin1963–
    
    A proprietary name for: a type of prefabricated building designed for quick assembly and easy transportation.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
2. II.
  Something resembling or likened to a brick, or functioning as a small unit within a larger whole.
  1. 1. II.4.a.
      1560–
      
      A brick-shaped block of any substance, such as tea, coal, soap, ice cream, etc. Often with of.
      gold brick, scouring brick, peat brick, tea brick, etc.: see the first element.
      1560
      Item for a brick of marmalade..ijs. iiijd.
      in S. Adams, Household Accounts Robert Dudley (1995) 145
      1580
      This Pallace hath..the floores layed with brickes of gold & siluer.
      J. Frampton, translation of J. Boemus, Discouerie Tartaria, Scithia, & Cataya f. 24
      1682
      In the more remote Parts of Ethiopia you may buy a good Mule with two or three Bricks of that Salt.
      J. P., translation of H. Ludolf, New Hist. Ethiopia iv. vii. 398
      1827
      A good horse was in our presence sold for about sixty bricks of tea.
      H. E. Lloyd, translation of E. F. Timkovskiĭ, Travels of Russian Mission Mongolia to China vol. II. 315
      1875
      Patent fuel..small coal and pitch, moulded together into bricks by pressure.
      R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler, Ure's Dictionary of Arts (ed. 7) vol. II. 507
      1885
      ‘You see this brick?’..lifting a cake of the infernal compound [sc. dynamite] from the laboratory-table.
      R. L. Stevenson & F. Stevenson, Dynamiter 191
      1922
      He gulped down a chill and glutinous slice of the ice-cream brick.
      S. Lewis, Babbitt ix. 123
      2005
      The album's back cover shows the rapper with..a bunch of rubber-banded bricks of bills.
      New York Times (National edition) 13 October b7/6
      food and cooking
      the world space shape angularity specific angular shape [nouns] cube or cuboid brick or block
      brick1560–
      
      A brick-shaped block of any substance, such as tea, coal, soap, ice cream, etc. Often with of.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
      the world food and drink food dishes and prepared food confections or sweetmeats ices [nouns] ice-cream types or forms of
      pistachio ice?1790–
      
      (An) ice cream or other iced dessert containing pistachio nuts.
      iced coffee1827–
      
      a. Ice cream flavoured with coffee (obsolete rare); b. chilled coffee, usually served over ice, and often sweetened or flavoured; a serving of this.
      iced tea1827
      
      Ice cream flavoured with tea. Obsolete. rare.
      tutti-frutti1834–
      
      A confection of mixed fruits; spec. a mixture of chopped preserved fruits, nuts, etc., used to flavour ice-cream; ice-cream so flavoured; also as adj.…
      brown-bread ice1846–
      
      Ice cream made with brown-bread crumbs, popular in Victorian and Edwardian times.
      vanilla ice1846–
      
      vanille ice1846–
      
      Ice cream flavoured with vanilla essence. Also elliptical.
      Neapolitan ice1867–
      
      = Neapolitan ice cream, n.
      Neapolitan ice cream1868–
      
      Ice cream made in layers of different colours and flavours; also in extended use.
      hokey-pokey1884–
      
      A cheap kind of ice cream, sold by street vendors. Hokey Pokey is a proprietary name for ice cream in the United Kingdom and the United States.
      strawberry ice cream1890–
      
      Designating a confection or drink in which strawberries are an ingredient or flavouring, as †strawberry ale, strawberry water, strawberry wine; straw…
      cornet1897–
      
      A cone-shaped wafer in which fruit, confections, etc., are served; (in later use) spec. a cone-shaped wafer in which ice cream is served. Now chiefly…
      ice cream sandwich1898–
      
      A refreshment consisting of a portion of ice cream served between two wafers or biscuits.
      choc chip1903–
      
      = chocolate chip, n. Frequently attributive. Also: a flavour of ice cream (or other dessert) made with chocolate chips.
      ice cream cone1905–
      
      a. (Originally North American) a crisp, thin, usually conical wafer for holding ice cream; b. (chiefly North American) such a cone containing ice…
      horn1908–
      
      A horn-shaped pastry case; an ice-cream cornet.
      ice cream cornet1908–
      
      (See cornet, n.¹ II.5d).
      Tortoni1911–
      
      Used attributively and absol. to designate a kind of ice-cream.
      slider1915–
      
      Ice-cream served in a sandwich form between two wafers. colloquial.
      choc bar1919–
      
      A chocolate bar or choc ice.
      cone1920–
      
      = cornet, n.¹ II.5d originally U.S.
      Eskimo pie1921–
      
      A bar of vanilla ice cream coated with chocolate on a stick or in a plastic wrapper. A proprietary name in the United States.
      brick1922–
      
      A brick-shaped block of any substance, such as tea, coal, soap, ice cream, etc. Often with of.
      brickette1922–
      
      A small brick-shaped block of any substance, such as soap, ice cream, etc. Cf. brick, n.¹ A.II.4a and briquette, n. 3.
      Eskimo1922
      
      A confection consisting of vanilla ice cream coated with chocolate. Cf. Eskimo pie, n. Obsolete. rare.
      butter pecan1923–
      
      A flavour of ice cream (or other dessert), typically made with roasted pecans, butter, and vanilla; frequently attributive.
      choc ice1924–
      
      A small bar of ice cream with a thin coating of chocolate.
      briquette1927–
      
      A small block of ice-cream. Cf. brickette, n.
      gelato1932–
      
      Italian or Italian-style ice cream, typically having a rich, creamy flavour. Also: a serving of this.
      ninety-nine1935–
      
      An ice-cream cone made with soft ice cream with a stick of flaky chocolate inserted into it (as 99 a proprietary name in the United Kingdom)…
      wafer1936–
      
      elliptical, a sandwich of ice-cream between wafers.
      fudgicle1938–
      
      A type of chocolate-flavoured ice lolly. Cf. fudgsicle, n.
      ripple1939–
      
      Originally U.S. A type of ice cream in which the base is interlayered with wavy bands of coloured and flavoured syrup, giving it a rippled…
      tub1939–
      
      A tub-shaped carton, spec. one containing a portion of ice-cream; the contents of a carton.
      soft-serve1951–
      
      a. adj. Designating ice cream having a more yielding consistency than traditional varieties, typically through being mechanically whipped and…
      vanilla1955–
      
      A vanilla ice cream.
      double dip1965–
      
      The process or result of dipping or immersing twice (frequently attributive); spec. (North American), an ice-cream cone made with two scoops or…
      coconut ice1995–
      
      a. A sweet made with (desiccated) coconut, sugar, and condensed milk; b. (occasionally) ice cream or other iced dessert containing coconut.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
    2. II.4.b.
      1698–
      
      A loaf of bread shaped like a brick; = brick loaf n. Now rare. In later use regional (chiefly New Zealand).
      Earliest in penny brick n.
      New English Dictionary (OED first edition) (1888) notes: ‘Often applied to a “tin-loaf”, but the local uses vary.’
      1698
      No threadbare Authour Squeez a doleful Tale Out of a Penny Brick, and pint of Ale.
      Elegy Death S. Smith (single sheet)
      1735
      Breakfasted upon a penny brick and tea with sugar, and ate all the brick very near.
      J. Byrom, Journal 6 June in Private Journal & Literary Remains (1855) vol. I. ii. 615 (transcript from orig. shorthand)
      1822
      Put a quartern of Flour into a large Basin..knead it again, and it is ready either for Loaves or Bricks.
      W. Kitchiner, Cook's Oracle (ed. 4) App. 508
      1875
      The loaves known under the names of bricks, Coburg, cottage, and French rolls, being all made of the same dough.
      R. Hunt & F. W. Rudler, Ure's Dictionary of Arts (ed. 7) vol. I. 477
      1958
      Bell's bricks, the brick-shaped, wholemeal loaves of bread produced by Bell's bakery in Christchurch,..no doubt are being forgotten.
      Tararua 26
      baking New Zealand English
      the world food and drink food dishes and prepared food bread loaf [nouns] pan- or tin-loaf
      tinned loafOld English–
      
      A portion of bread baked in one mass; one of the portions, of uniform size and shape, into which a batch of bread is divided. Also with…
      brick1698–
      
      A loaf of bread shaped like a brick; = brick loaf, n. Now rare. In later use regional (chiefly New Zealand).
      brick loaf1723–
      
      A loaf of bread or a cake having a brick-like, rectangular shape. Cf. brick, n.¹ A.II.4b.
      brick bread1762
      
      Bread baked in a brick-like rectangular loaf. Cf. brick loaf, n.
      pan-loaf1846–
      
      A loaf baked in a pan or tin, having a hard, smooth crust; a tin-loaf. Also: bread in the form of such a loaf.
      pan bread1856–
      
      = pan-loaf, n.
      tin-loaf1858–
      
      A loaf baked in a tin, a pan-loaf.
      tin1957–
      
      elliptical for tin-loaf, n.
      pan1978–
      
      Chiefly Irish English. = pan-loaf, n.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
    3. II.4.c.
      1725–1908
      
      † Heraldry. A bearing in the shape of a rectangle having a three-dimensional appearance. Cf. billet n.2 6. Obsolete. rare.
      1725
      Colombiere..mentions Briques, or Bricks separately from Billets, and tells us, that the difference between them is, that the Briques are drawn so as to represent their thickness.
      New Dictionary Heraldry 50
      ?1828
      Bricks, ar. a rose, betw. three bricks, gu.
      W. Berry, Encyclopœdia Heraldica vol. II. sig. R2/1
      1908
      Brick, somewhat resembling a billet, but showing its thickness in perspective.
      A. F. Pimbley, Dictionary Heraldry 15/1
      heraldry
      society communication indication insignia heraldic devices collective other heraldic representations [nouns] other miscellaneous representations
      sheafc1420–
      
      A representation of a sheaf (of corn, arrows, etc.). (In Heraldry the sheaf of corn is called garb, n.¹)
      Catherine wheel1584–
      
      The figure of a wheel with spikes projecting from its circumference (in reference to the legend of St. Catherine's martyrdom). esp. in Heraldry.
      sceptre1610–
      
      Heraldry. A representation of this.
      brick1725–1908
      
      Heraldry. A bearing in the shape of a rectangle having a three-dimensional appearance. Cf. billet, n.² 6. Obsolete. rare.
      icicle1796–
      
      Heraldry. A charge resembling an elongated droplet, rounded at the top and tapering to a point at the bottom.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
    4. II.4.d.
      1829–
      
      A child's toy building block (originally made of wood, later often of plastic, etc.).
      Cf. brick box n.
      1829
      The children amuse themselves by swinging, skipping, building houses with wooden bricks, and such like employment.
      Aberdeen Journal 6 May
      1857
      Building Materials for Juvenile Architects; being a box of bricks of three sizes.
      Catalogue Educ. Div. S. Kensington Mus. 50/2
      1939
      Baby Croesus crawls in a pen With alphabetical bricks.
      L. MacNeice, Autumn Journal xix. 76
      2014
      Parents who grew up with Lego..will almost certainly feel the prickle of nostalgia... A son or daughter's plastic bricks can spirit them back to a childhood long-past.
      Daily Telegraph 14 February 24/5
      society leisure entertainment toy or plaything other toys [nouns] toy bricks
      block1820–
      
      Chiefly in plural. A wooden or (in later use) plastic toy brick. Cf. building block, n. 1b.
      brick1829–
      
      A child's toy building block (originally made of wood, later often of plastic, etc.).
      building block1833–
      
      A wooden or (in later use) plastic toy brick. Cf. block, n.¹ I.i.3c.
      toy block1859–
      
      One of a set of blocks for children to play with, typically made from wood or plastic, and often with pictures or letters of the alphabet on them.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
    5. II.4.e.
      1938–
      
      slang. A compressed block of an illicit drug, esp. heroin or marijuana, now typically one weighing a kilogram.
      Originally simply a specific use of sense A.II.4a.
      1938
      Brick: See brick gum. Brick gum: Raw opium. Also called leaf gum, mud, gum, brick, leaf.
      Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology vol. 29 265
      1967
      In the lingo of the hippies who smoke Acapulco Gold, ‘bricks’ are kilos. A kilo is a 2½ pound block of marijuana.
      Boston Sunday Globe 26 March iv. 1/1
      1990
      When a Border Patrol agent discovered 302 kilo bricks of marijuana in the trunk, Valle-Valdez denied knowledge..of the contraband.
      Journal Criminal Law & Criminol. vol. 81 207
      2017
      Stacked, floor to ceiling, with bricks of heroin... Billy O squats and picks up a kilo.
      D. Winslow, Force 15
      drug use colloquial and slang
    6. II.4.f.
      1990–
      
      A large and relatively heavy mobile phone, typically one that is now considered outdated, or which has limited functionality.
      1990
      The..information systems manager..carried a Motorola ‘brick’ to a subbasement five levels down in his office building.
      Computerworld 5 March 58/2
      1994
      Older models are known as bricks because of their shape and heft. If you plan to carry the phone a lot, get a small one.
      New York Times (Nexis) 3 February c1/1
      2017
      My brick of a phone..struggling to play a YouTube video about how to measure and sew darts on its ancient screen.
      A. Poston, Geekerella ii. 81
      telephony
      society communication telecommunication telegraphy or telephony telephony telephone equipment [nouns] telephone types of
      microtelephone1879–81
      
      A telephone transmitter or telephone designed to amplify sound. Obsolete.
      field telephone1880–
      
      telephone extension1881–
      
      a. Extension of the telephone network so as to connect a new town, region, etc. (now rare); b. a subsidiary telephone, either attached to the main…
      pay telephone1886–
      
      = payphone, n.
      home telephone1893–
      
      A telephone installed in the home.
      substation1897–
      
      A telephone and associated lines and circuitry located at a subscriber's premises.
      extension1906–
      
      Enlargement. A subsidiary telephone, loudspeaker, etc., connected to, but placed at a distance from, the main instrument; also, the number of…
      payphone1907–
      
      A public telephone that is operated by coins, or by a phonecard or credit card.
      railophone1911–
      
      A telephone in a railway train, esp. one allowing communication between a train and other railway facilities (e.g. stations or signal boxes).
      dial phone1917–
      
      = dial telephone, n.
      dial telephone1921–
      
      A telephone operated by means of a dial, formerly spec. (U.S.) one that makes a connection automatically; = dial phone, n.
      autophone1922–
      
      With capital initial. A telephone (with a dial) which connects to an automatic telephone exchange rather than an operator. Cf. automatic, adj.…
      mobile telephone1930–
      
      A portable wireless telephone, esp. one that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a cell phone; = mobile phone…
      viewphone1932–
      
      A telephone device capable of transmitting and receiving images as well as sound; = videophone, n.
      videophone1944–
      
      A telephone device transmitting and receiving a visual image as well as sound; spec. (in later use) a smartphone capable of transmitting and…
      mobile phone1945–
      
      Originally: a radio-telephone installed in a vehicle. In later use: a portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular…
      car phone1946–
      
      A portable telephone, esp. one using a cellular radio system, designed for use in a car.
      video telephone1947–
      
      = videophone, n.
      key telephone1952–
      
      A telephone operated by means of buttons on a keypad and connected to several telephone lines to form an interconnected system, typically in a…
      picture telephone1956–
      
      = video telephone, n.; cf. picture phone, n.
      key phone1958–
      
      A telephone operated by means of buttons on a keypad rather than a dial; (now) spec. one of several such phones forming an interconnected system…
      princess phone1959–
      
      A type of small light telephone, often in pale or pastel colours and frequently having the handset resting immediately above the dial (or buttons). A proprietary name in the U.S.
      princess telephone1959–
      
      = princess phone, n.
      touchtone telephone1961–
      
      A push-button telephone.
      touch-tone1962–
      
      The touch-tone system (see sense A).
      touchtone phone1963–
      
      = touchtone telephone, n.
      picture phone1964–
      
      = videophone, n.
      Trimphone1965–
      
      The proprietary name of a type of lightweight telephone with a high-pitched quavering (or ‘warbling’) ringing tone.
      vision-telephone1966–
      
      = videophone, n.
      hand phone1967–
      
      a. A telephone receiver or handset (now rare); b. a mobile phone (now chiefly Southeast Asian).
      visiophone1971–
      
      = videophone, n.
      princess1973–
      
      = princess phone, n.
      warbler1973–
      
      colloquial. A telephone which warbles. Cf. warble, v.¹ 4c.
      landline1977–
      
      A telephone connected to a landline (see sense 2), now esp. as contrasted with a mobile phone; a telephone that transmits and receives signals…
      cardphone1978–
      
      A payphone operated by means of phonecard, instead of by coins.
      feature phone1979–
      
      (Originally) any of various telephones enhanced with computer technology; (later chiefly) spec. a mobile phone incorporating features such as…
      smartphone1980–
      
      Originally: any of various telephones enhanced with computer technology. Later chiefly: spec. a mobile phone capable of running general-purpose…
      dumb phone1982–
      
      Any of various types of phone without smart technology (cf. smart, adj. II.10b); (now) spec. a mobile phone that lacks the advanced functionality…
      mobile1982–
      
      A portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a mobile phone, a cell phone; esp.…
      cell phone1983–
      
      A portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a mobile phone; esp. (in later use) a…
      Vodafone1984–
      
      A proprietary name for a cellular radio service operating in the United Kingdom; a telephone handset which operates under this system.
      cellular1985–
      
      North American. A cellular telephone. Cf. cell, n.³
      cell1988–
      
      A portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a cell phone, a mobile phone; esp.…
      mobile device1989–
      
      A mobile phone (in later use esp. a smartphone) or a portable computing device (in later use esp. a tablet computer).
      screenphone1989–
      
      A landline telephone equipped with a display screen, esp. (in later use) one used to display online content.
      textphone1989–
      
      A device developed to perform the function of a telephone for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person, having a keyboard and a small screen for typing…
      brick1990–
      
      A large and relatively heavy mobile phone, typically one that is now considered outdated, or which has limited functionality.
      satphone1991–
      
      A telephone that transmits and receives signals via satellite, rather than using terrestrial landlines, radio masts, etc.; = satellite telephone, n.
      celly1992–
      
      = cell phone, n.
      burner phone1996–
      
      An inexpensive prepaid mobile phone; esp. one used for a short time and then discarded to protect the anonymity of the owner.
      keitai1998–
      
      In Japan: a mobile phone.
      brick1999–
      
      A smartphone or other electronic device that has been rendered completely inoperative, e.g. by the imperfect or failed installation of an update. Cf…
      burner2002–
      
      colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.). An inexpensive prepaid mobile phone; esp. one used for a short time and then discarded to protect the…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
    7. II.4.g.
      1999–
      
      A smartphone or other electronic device that has been rendered completely inoperative, e.g. by the imperfect or failed installation of an update. Cf. brick v. 6.
      With reference to the device becoming an inert block.
      1999
      If the update process fails you have a brick instead of a DVD-Rom drive.
      Flashing Pioneer SCSI DVD 303 in comp.periphs.scsi 25 August (Usenet newsgroup, accessed 27 Mar. 2019)
      2011
      Rooting an Android phone is tricky and you risk turning the phone into a useless brick when things go awry.
      Straits Times (Singapore) (Nexis) 12 January
      2018
      You may have contract obligations for a non-working phone—a brick, with no use except as a paperweight.
      Toronto Star (Nexis) 17 July l1
      electronics telephony
      society communication telecommunication telegraphy or telephony telephony telephone equipment [nouns] telephone types of
      microtelephone1879–81
      
      A telephone transmitter or telephone designed to amplify sound. Obsolete.
      field telephone1880–
      
      telephone extension1881–
      
      a. Extension of the telephone network so as to connect a new town, region, etc. (now rare); b. a subsidiary telephone, either attached to the main…
      pay telephone1886–
      
      = payphone, n.
      home telephone1893–
      
      A telephone installed in the home.
      substation1897–
      
      A telephone and associated lines and circuitry located at a subscriber's premises.
      extension1906–
      
      Enlargement. A subsidiary telephone, loudspeaker, etc., connected to, but placed at a distance from, the main instrument; also, the number of…
      payphone1907–
      
      A public telephone that is operated by coins, or by a phonecard or credit card.
      railophone1911–
      
      A telephone in a railway train, esp. one allowing communication between a train and other railway facilities (e.g. stations or signal boxes).
      dial phone1917–
      
      = dial telephone, n.
      dial telephone1921–
      
      A telephone operated by means of a dial, formerly spec. (U.S.) one that makes a connection automatically; = dial phone, n.
      autophone1922–
      
      With capital initial. A telephone (with a dial) which connects to an automatic telephone exchange rather than an operator. Cf. automatic, adj.…
      mobile telephone1930–
      
      A portable wireless telephone, esp. one that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a cell phone; = mobile phone…
      viewphone1932–
      
      A telephone device capable of transmitting and receiving images as well as sound; = videophone, n.
      videophone1944–
      
      A telephone device transmitting and receiving a visual image as well as sound; spec. (in later use) a smartphone capable of transmitting and…
      mobile phone1945–
      
      Originally: a radio-telephone installed in a vehicle. In later use: a portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular…
      car phone1946–
      
      A portable telephone, esp. one using a cellular radio system, designed for use in a car.
      video telephone1947–
      
      = videophone, n.
      key telephone1952–
      
      A telephone operated by means of buttons on a keypad and connected to several telephone lines to form an interconnected system, typically in a…
      picture telephone1956–
      
      = video telephone, n.; cf. picture phone, n.
      key phone1958–
      
      A telephone operated by means of buttons on a keypad rather than a dial; (now) spec. one of several such phones forming an interconnected system…
      princess phone1959–
      
      A type of small light telephone, often in pale or pastel colours and frequently having the handset resting immediately above the dial (or buttons). A proprietary name in the U.S.
      princess telephone1959–
      
      = princess phone, n.
      touchtone telephone1961–
      
      A push-button telephone.
      touch-tone1962–
      
      The touch-tone system (see sense A).
      touchtone phone1963–
      
      = touchtone telephone, n.
      picture phone1964–
      
      = videophone, n.
      Trimphone1965–
      
      The proprietary name of a type of lightweight telephone with a high-pitched quavering (or ‘warbling’) ringing tone.
      vision-telephone1966–
      
      = videophone, n.
      hand phone1967–
      
      a. A telephone receiver or handset (now rare); b. a mobile phone (now chiefly Southeast Asian).
      visiophone1971–
      
      = videophone, n.
      princess1973–
      
      = princess phone, n.
      warbler1973–
      
      colloquial. A telephone which warbles. Cf. warble, v.¹ 4c.
      landline1977–
      
      A telephone connected to a landline (see sense 2), now esp. as contrasted with a mobile phone; a telephone that transmits and receives signals…
      cardphone1978–
      
      A payphone operated by means of phonecard, instead of by coins.
      feature phone1979–
      
      (Originally) any of various telephones enhanced with computer technology; (later chiefly) spec. a mobile phone incorporating features such as…
      smartphone1980–
      
      Originally: any of various telephones enhanced with computer technology. Later chiefly: spec. a mobile phone capable of running general-purpose…
      dumb phone1982–
      
      Any of various types of phone without smart technology (cf. smart, adj. II.10b); (now) spec. a mobile phone that lacks the advanced functionality…
      mobile1982–
      
      A portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a mobile phone, a cell phone; esp.…
      cell phone1983–
      
      A portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a mobile phone; esp. (in later use) a…
      Vodafone1984–
      
      A proprietary name for a cellular radio service operating in the United Kingdom; a telephone handset which operates under this system.
      cellular1985–
      
      North American. A cellular telephone. Cf. cell, n.³
      cell1988–
      
      A portable wireless telephone that transmits and receives signals via a cellular (cellular, adj. A.6) network; a cell phone, a mobile phone; esp.…
      mobile device1989–
      
      A mobile phone (in later use esp. a smartphone) or a portable computing device (in later use esp. a tablet computer).
      screenphone1989–
      
      A landline telephone equipped with a display screen, esp. (in later use) one used to display online content.
      textphone1989–
      
      A device developed to perform the function of a telephone for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person, having a keyboard and a small screen for typing…
      brick1990–
      
      A large and relatively heavy mobile phone, typically one that is now considered outdated, or which has limited functionality.
      satphone1991–
      
      A telephone that transmits and receives signals via satellite, rather than using terrestrial landlines, radio masts, etc.; = satellite telephone, n.
      celly1992–
      
      = cell phone, n.
      burner phone1996–
      
      An inexpensive prepaid mobile phone; esp. one used for a short time and then discarded to protect the anonymity of the owner.
      keitai1998–
      
      In Japan: a mobile phone.
      brick1999–
      
      A smartphone or other electronic device that has been rendered completely inoperative, e.g. by the imperfect or failed installation of an update. Cf…
      burner2002–
      
      colloquial (originally and chiefly U.S.). An inexpensive prepaid mobile phone; esp. one used for a short time and then discarded to protect the…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
  2. II.5.
    1790–
    
    A basic unit or element from which something larger is constructed; a constituent component of something. Cf. mortar n.2 1b and building block n. 1c.
    Often as part of an extended metaphor.
    1790
    Prisons are built with stones of Law, Brothels with bricks of Religion.
    W. Blake, Marriage of Heaven & Hell Pl. 8
    1865
    In building up crystals these little atomic bricks often arrange themselves into layers.
    J. Tyndall in London, Edinburgh, & Dublin Philos. Magazine 4th Series vol. 12 36
    1903
    They regarded faith as the mortar which kept the bricks of society sticking together.
    Speaker 21 March 612/1
    2006
    Cells..are the bricks from which your body is built.
    A. Wishart, One in Three (2008) 43
    the world relative properties wholeness incompleteness part of whole [nouns] constituent part or component
    limbOld English–
    
    In uses originally figurative (cf. member, v.²). A member (e.g. of the church as ‘the body of Christ’, of Christ, of Antichrist); a branch or…
    membera1382–
    
    Any of the constituent components of a complex structure. Now: spec. a component of a load-bearing structure.
    elementc1386–
    
    In wider sense: One of the relatively simple substances of which a complex substance is composed; in plural the ‘raw material’ of which a thing is…
    parcelc1395–
    
    An integral or component part or member (of something). Used to emphasize inclusion in the whole, rather than partitive character; often without…
    ingredientc1460–
    
    Something that enters into the formation of a compound or mixture; a component part, constituent, element. Primarily used of medical compositions…
    partc1530–
    
    gen. An essential element; an integral portion of a larger whole. Also without article.
    ingredience1577–1661
    
    That which enters into a mixture. (With plural) A single ingredient or element.
    principle1594–
    
    A component part, a constituent, an element, †an atom. Now only as passing into sense III.9c.
    simple1603–
    
    A basic or fundamental unit in the composition of something immaterial; an element or constituent of a process, feeling, quality, etc. Now rare…
    composer1610
    
    A component, a constituent part. Obsolete.
    partiment1641
    
    A constituent part or element; spec. a company or division of an army.
    component1644–
    
    A constituent element or part.
    constitutive1647–97
    
    A constitutive part or element, a constituent. Obsolete. rare.
    composite1657
    
    A component part. Obsolete. rare.
    integral1659–85
    
    An integral part or element; a constituent, component: see A.1. Obsolete.
    ingredient1674–
    
    ingredients occurs as singular = ingredience, n. 1b.
    aggregant1749–
    
    A part or constituent portion of a whole; something that can aggregate. Now rare.
    constituent1757–
    
    A constituent element or part.
    congredient1767
    
    A component part, ingredient.
    brick1790–
    
    A basic unit or element from which something larger is constructed; a constituent component of something. Cf. mortar, n.² 1b and building block, n.…
    factor1816–
    
    An element which enters into the composition of something; a circumstance, fact, or influence which contributes to a result.
    integrant1825–
    
    That which integrates; a component.
    inclusion1845–
    
    A person who or thing which is included within a group, category, etc.; a component, a constituent; an addition.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
  3. II.6.
    a1845–
    
    slang or colloquial. As predicate: a person regarded as decent, generous, helpful, or reliable. Now somewhat dated.
    Probably with reference to the person's perceived solidity and dependability.
    a1845
    I don't stick To declare Father Dick..was a ‘Regular Brick’.
    R. H. Barham, Brothers of Birchington in Ingoldsby Legends (1847) 3rd Series 257
    ?c1860
    I think you're a brick to do that, Johnny Green.
    in P. S. Foner, American Labor Songs 19th Century (1975) 15
    1936
    She's a brick, too, Sewell! I never thought Ann Lovelace could be so true a friend as she's shown herself to me.
    ‘A. E. Fielding’, Case of Two Pearl Necklaces xv. 190
    2017
    I love the queen, she's such a brick.
    @Santer1967 22 June in twitter.com (accessed 7 Aug. 2018)
    colloquial and slang
    the mind goodness and badness quality of being good [nouns] good person
    bricka1845–
    
    slang or colloquial. As predicate: a person regarded as decent, generous, helpful, or reliable. Now somewhat dated.
    my tulip1847–
    
    figurative. slang. my tulip, ‘my fine fellow’.
    honey1848–
    
    slang. Originally U.S. A person who or thing which is an excellent or delightful example of its kind; a very good or commendable person or thing…
    a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869–
    
    So a (bad, good, etc.) sort, applied to a single person. colloquial.
    rattler1886–
    
    A particularly good or impressive example of something (cf. rattling, adj. A.3a); spec. (esp. in early use) (a) a fast horse; (b) Cricket a fast or…
    toff1898–
    
    Sometimes applied in compliment to a person who behaves ‘handsomely’; a ‘brick’.
    one of the best1917–
    
    colloquial. one of the best: a good or upstanding person.
    goody1934–
    
    colloquial (originally U.S.). A good or virtuous person; esp. one who is on the side of good against evil in a story, film, etc., and whom the…
    View in Historical Thesaurus
  4. II.7.
    1882–
    
    A style of needlework or beadwork in which the rows of stitches or beads resemble the staggered horizontal and vertical arrangement of brickwork. Also: a stitch, bead, or section forming a component in this pattern. Often attributive.
    See also brick couching n., brick stitch n.
    1882
    The chief varieties of Flat Couching are Brick, Broad, Burden, Diagonal, and Diamond.
    S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward, Dictionary of Needlework 180/1
    1911
    The commonest form of stitching the gold is in bricks, each couching-stitch being in between the two stitches of the preceding line.
    A. Dryden, Church Embroidery 112
    1965
    One of the variations of satin stitch is ‘brick’ filling, which is worked by the thread of the material, and over an even number of threads.
    Embroidery Autumn 86/2
    2007
    Brick and peyote... Each stitch has its advantages: Peyote works up very quickly, while brick is super adaptable.
    B. Stone, Seed Bead Stitching ii. 38
    needlework bricklaying
    the world textiles and clothing textiles textile fabric or an article of textile fabric sewn or ornamented textile fabric [nouns] embroidery or ornamental sewing done in specific stitches couching specific
    brick stitch1842–
    
    A type of stitching consisting of staggered rows or zigzagging columns of short stitches that form a pattern resembling bonded brickwork. Also: a…
    brick couching1881–
    
    A type of couching in which threads or cords are laid horizontally and secured by vertical stitches in an arrangement resembling bonded…
    brick1882–
    
    A style of needlework or beadwork in which the rows of stitches or beads resemble the staggered horizontal and vertical arrangement of brickwork…
    spider couching1882–
    
    (See quot.).
    Vandyke couching1882–
    
    bricking1899–
    
    Embroidery. A style of needlework in which the rows of stitches resemble the staggered horizontal and vertical arrangement of brickwork.
    surface couching1927–
    
    A form of embroidery in which a (typically gold) thread is held flat on the surface of the fabric by stitches looped over it; cf. couch, v.¹ I.i.4b.
    underside-couching1936–
    
    A form of couching (couch, v.¹ I.i.4b) in which the couched thread is drawn through the fabric to the underside by each of the couching stitches (cf…
    View in Historical Thesaurus
  5. II.8.
    c1914–
    
    Australian (originally Gambling slang). A ten-pound note; ten pounds. Later also (after the introduction of decimal currency in 1966): a ten-dollar note. Now chiefly historical.
    With reference to the colour of the Australian ten-pound note, which was a dull red.
    Cf. London to a brick at Phrases P.6.
    c1914
    Pop it down, gents, if you don't put down a brick you can't pick up a castle!
    A. B. Paterson, Racehorses & Racing Australia in C. Semmler, World of ‘Banjo’ Paterson (1967) 324
    1954
    You'll win a brick, matey. I can see y' know this game.
    Coast to Coast 1953–4 175
    1967
    The husband sold his new suit for £10 and put the ‘brick’ on the dead cert.
    A. E. Debenham, All Manner of People 89
    2017
    Bookies at the races often called back bets as a ‘brick’ (10 pounds) or a ‘spin’ (five pounds).
    Herald Sun (Australia) (Nexis) 1 December 22
    gambling Australian English colloquial and slang historical
  6. II.9.
    1961–
    
    British. Military. A small unit of infantry, typically comprising four soldiers, used esp. for reconnaissance, foot patrol, or the like.
    Cf. fire team n. (b).
    1961
    The contingent from Egypt had a ‘Brick’ trained in accordance with doctrine evolved by Maund.
    B. Fergusson, Watery Maze ix. 231
    1978
    The men are divided into ‘bricks’ of four or six men, who always patrol together.
    Guardian Weekly 19 March 19/2
    1989
    On foot, sixteen soldiers accompany you on a walk. They are divided into ‘bricks’, four soldiers each.
    in R. Graef, Talking Blues v. 153
    2005
    He'd been huddled in this ditch since he and the rest of his ‘brick’, the four-man tactical unit of the SAS, had been inserted by helicopter.
    P. Taylor, Now & in Hour of our Death xvi. 125
    military British English
  7. II.10.
    1971–
    
    North American. In basketball: a shot that does not go into the basket, esp. a jump shot that bounces off the backboard or rim.
    For the semantic motivation, see quot. 1971.
    1971
    Players in the National Basketball Association call poor shots ‘bricks because the ball falls like a brick after one of these shots’.
    New York Times 2 January (Late City edition) 25/3
    1980
    Frequently he passed up good shots to get the ball to teammates who just as frequently threw up bricks or committed turnovers.
    Washington Post 6 February e6/1
    2006
    Early in the shoot-around, I was a bit nervous, tossing up enough bricks to build my dream house.
    New York Times (National edition) 10 December viii. 9/2
    basketball North American English
    society leisure sport types of sport or game ball game basketball [nouns] types of shot or ball
    finger roll1862–
    
    a. A small, soft, oblong bread roll with rounded ends; b. Basketball a type of underhanded lay-up shot in which a player, with arm extended…
    free throw1888–
    
    A throw which can be taken without obstruction by opponents or defenders, typically awarded as a penalty for a foul committed by an opposing team…
    foul shot1902–
    
    A chance or attempt to score from a designated line in front of the basket, awarded as a penalty for a foul committed by the opposing team; a free…
    jump shot1909–
    
    a. Billiards etc., a shot which causes the ball to jump; b. Basketball (see quot. 1961).
    jump ball1924–
    
    A ball thrown between two opposing players by the referee.
    pop shot1933–
    
    Originally and chiefly U.S. Sport (originally and chiefly Basketball). An impromptu or quickly taken shot; a speculative shot.
    jumper1937–
    
    Basketball. A jump-ball or jump-shot; a player of such a ball or shot.
    set shot1940–
    
    A shot at the basket made from a still position.
    lay-up1948–
    
    Basketball. In full, lay-up shot. (See quot. 1961.)
    fallaway1949–
    
    Basketball. A shot made while the shooter jumps away from the basket. Cf. sense B.2.
    bonus1955–
    
    Basketball. An extra free throw; = bonus free throw at compounds C.1c. Also: a situation in which a bonus free throw may be awarded; = bonus situation…
    hook-shot1957–
    
    A twisting shot started when the player has his back to the basket and completed as he pivots round towards the basket.
    sky-hook1959–
    
    U.S. Basketball. A type of hook shot in which the player pivots and jumps into the air before releasing the ball with one hand. Also in sky-hook shot.
    buzzer beater1965–
    
    Basketball. A shot made in the last moment of a period of play, typically one at the very end of a game resulting in victory for the shooter's…
    brick1971–
    
    North American. In basketball: a shot that does not go into the basket, esp. a jump shot that bounces off the backboard or rim.
    spot-up1992–
    
    A jump shot taken by a player immediately after receiving the ball, without moving from his or her current spot. Also: a position suitable for taking…
    View in Historical Thesaurus
  8. II.11.
    1996–
    
    Sport. In triathlon training: a workout involving two or more triathlon disciplines. Often attributive, esp. in brick workout.
    1996
    We would like to suggest ‘Bricks’—training with two of the three sports back-to-back in one workout.
    J. Wharton et al., Whartons' Stretch Book ii. 170
    2008
    A staple of most training schedules is the dreaded ‘brick’ workout: two or more disciplines back to back.
    Play: New York Times Sports Magazine June 14/1
    2012
    Bike-run bricks..teach the new athlete what it feels like to run on legs already fatigued from biking.
    C. Palmquist in Complete Triathlon Guide (USA Triathlon) ii. 21
    sport
    society leisure sport training [nouns]
    training1581–
    
    Physical preparation of oneself or another for athletic or sporting competition; engagement in a programme to enhance fitness or bodily appearance.
    work1846–
    
    Physical effort expended during participation in a sport or game; the application or skill displayed by a person, team, etc., during play. Cf. work…
    training session1850–
    
    overtraining1856–
    
    Excessive training.
    roadwork1856–
    
    Exercise or training involving running on roads by a sportsperson, racehorse, etc.
    sprint training1879–
    
    Training that involves covering a short distance at the highest possible speed; spec. (in later use) a form of training in which very short bursts…
    cross-training1903–
    
    Sport. Training in several different sports in order to improve fitness or performance in one's main sport.
    groundwork1906–
    
    Boxing and Judo. Physical exercises performed by a sportsman whilst lying on the ground.
    sweat1916–
    
    A fit of sweating caused for a specific purpose. A long training run for schoolboys. Public School slang.
    repetition1919–
    
    Sport (chiefly Bodybuilding and Athletics). Any of various training exercises or activities which are repeated as part of a series or set. Usually in…
    repetition running1955–
    
    A form of interval training used to develop speed and endurance, in which an athlete runs a series of predetermined distances at high speed…
    weight training1955–
    
    A method of physical training involving the use of weights.
    circuit training1957–
    
    The performance by an athlete of repeated circuits (circuit, n. 3d).
    interval running1957–
    
    In Athletics, a method of training by running set distances at pre-determined speeds (opposed to fartlek, n.).
    interval training1962–
    
    repetition training1965–
    
    a. Military training for military personnel which reinforces or repeats the content of previous training; b. Sport training in which an athlete…
    brick1996–
    
    Sport. In triathlon training: a workout involving two or more triathlon disciplines. Often attributive, esp. in brick workout.
    View in Historical Thesaurus
adjective
1. 1.
  ?1440–
  
  Of a building or other structure: made of brick.
  Originally simply a use of the noun as modifier, gradually becoming established as a common pattern with broadly adjectival meaning.
  With quot. ?1440 cf. brick wall n.1 1. See also brick house n., brick veneer n.
  ?1440
  Thi wallis bricke [Latin mures latericios] with bricke me most corone.
  translation of Palladius, De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey MS.) (1896) i. l. 379 (Middle English Dictionary)
  1576
  Henrie the seuenthe..beautified the house with the addition of the brick front.
  W. Lambarde, Perambulation of Kent 339
  1591
  Nor brick, nor marble was the wall.
  E. Spenser, translation of J. du Bellay, Visions ii, in Complaints sig. Y2
  1642
  A stack of brick chimneyes..neare about the middle of the house.
  Proc. Provinc. Court in W. H. Browne, Arch. Maryland (1887) vol. IV. 189
  1728
  A Brick Bridge..which was covered with Water.
  Stamford Mercury 1 February 34
  1887
  A small brick archway..which crosses..the Puddle Dyke.
  Essex Weekly News 11 March 7/1
  1922
  Seated upon the brick walk at her feet, he was regarding her with a gravity that seemed to discomfort her.
  B. Tarkington, Gentle Julia xiii. 187
  1951
  The NCO quarters were brick too.
  J. Jones, From Here to Eternity xxiv. 354
  1989
  Leaving behind smokestacks and tall Victorian brick factories.
  T. Kidder, Among Schoolchildren iii. i. 63
  2006
  The view through the window was of an old brick brewers' yard.
  New Yorker 20 March 130/2
  bricklaying
2. 1. 2.a.
    1598–
    
    Designating a colour or shade resembling that of brick (esp. that made from clay having a high iron content), typically a brownish red or orange.
    Earliest in the one-word combination brickcolour.
    Cf. sense A.I.2, brick-coloured at Compounds C.3, brick-red adj.
    1598
    Gioggiolino, a kinde of colour which we call flesh-colour, or brickcolour.
    J. Florio, Worlde of Wordes
    1792
    The trout is of lead colour..and when fully grown, has a cast of red, or brick colour.
    W. Bartram, Travels North & South Carolina (new edition) ii. iv. 107
    1818
    To make a Brown inclining to a Brick Colour.
    W. Tucker, Family Dyer & Scourer (ed. 2) 53
    1878
    Their colour is a very beautiful glaucous, brick orange, very pleasing to the observer.
    Garden 12 October 324/2
    1906
    The reds [of beetles] varied in character—sandy-orange, terra-cotta, Indian red and brick-purple being all represented.
    Hope Rep. vol. 5 49
    1914
    The steep slopes..[range] from deep crimson through all the brick shades to the softest pink.
    Bulletin Pan Amer. Union vol. 40 379
    2004
    Stone painted the walls in a brick hue, imparting a rich, sophisticated feeling that is set off by white trim.
    Indianapolis Monthly November 20/2
  2. 2.b.
    1687–
    
    Of a thing: that is of a colour resembling brick; brick-coloured, esp. brick-red.
    Cf. bricktop n.
    1687
    A plain Bavarian with her sandy coulor'd locks, brawny limbs and brick complection.
    in G. Etherege, Let 28 April (1974) 113
    1854
    Sesquichloride of iron yields with it a brick precipitate.
    R. D. Thomson, Cyclopaedia of Chemistry 15/1
    1922
    A dull brick muffler strangling his unshaven neck.
    J. Joyce, Ulysses i. iii. [Proteus] 47
    1992
    Jade..is wearing a brick dress, brick jacket with fresh daisy in the button hole, ruby cross round her neck, and bare legs.
    Evening Standard (Nexis) 30 April 14

Phrases

P.1.
1. ?1575–
  oil of bricks noun (also oil of brick)
  
  Now historical. A preparation typically made by distilling oil in which brick dust or hot bricks have been soaked, used medicinally for the treatment of a variety of diseases; = brick oil n. 1; also called oil of philosophers.
  ?1575
  The order to make oyle of briks otherwise called oleum philosophorum delateribus.
  J. Hester, True & Perfect Order to distill Oyles sig. D.ii^v (heading)
  1653
  The Oyls and Oyntments made of these, Turpentine, Oyl of Bricks, Oyl of Foxes, Oyl of Bays, Oyl of Dill, [etc.].
  N. Culpeper, Pharmacopœia Londinensis 153/1
  1737
  Strong Coffee must be noxious; for its innate fœtid Oil is rarify'd..by the Act of roasting, whereby it becomes like an Oleum Philosophorum..or Oil of Bricks, very pungent and active.
  B. Godfrey, Miscellanea vere Utilia (ed. 2) 28
  1803
  Oil of bricks, a singular preparation, formerly much esteemed in the cure of many diseases; but now justly exploded as absurd and pernicious rather than useful.
  A. F. M. Willich & J. Mease, Domestic Encyclopedia (Amer. edition) vol. I. 401/2
  1902
  For oil of brick the modern equivalent is linseed oil coloured with alkanet.
  Chemist & Druggist 5 April 541/2
  1980
  The preparation of oil of bricks is a rudimentary catalytic cracking process, remotely resembling those used in today's petroleum refineries.
  N. F. George in J. Weisheipl, Albertus Magnus & Science ix. 257
  pathology historical
P.2.
1806–

figurative. brick by brick: in a gradual or incremental manner; in stages; one bit at a time. Often in to build brick by brick.
1806
There is a class of men..who, if you only permit them to lay the foundation, will build you up, step by step, and brick by brick.
Newport (Rhode Island) Mercury 5 April
1875
[They] are successfully compiling, brick by brick,..a complete encyclopædia of sacred and profane history.
Hamilton (Ohio) Guidon 6 May
1969
This is not going to be an easy thing... It will be a long, slow, brick-by-brick process.
Northwest Arkansas Times 17 April 7/3
1995
Our relationship..would have to be built up again, brick by brick.
K. Armstrong, Through Narrow Gate (1997) xi. 257
2004
The chapters..are intended to build her argument brick by brick.
British Journal of History of Science vol. 37 472
P.3.

colloquial.
1. P.3.a.
  1832–1912
  
  † like bricks: with great force or violence; very vigorously; (hence) with great enthusiasm. Similarly like a brick. Obsolete.
  Originally with reference to the crash with which a quantity of bricks fall, but later chiefly as an expression of approval at the vigour with which a task is approached: cf. sense A.II.6.
  1832
  The musquitos have either smelt it [sc. cholera] or received the intelligence per their own peculiar telegraph; for now..‘they are bowling off like bricks!’
  Satirist 14 October 334/3
  1836
  Out flys the fare like bricks.
  C. Dickens, Sketches by Boz 2nd Series 291
  1856
  You fellows worked like bricks.
  C. Kingsley, Letter May in Letters & Memories of Life (2011) vol. I. 277
  1856
  She sits her horse as if she was part of him;..hunts like..a brick.
  F. E. Paget, Owlet of Owlstone Edge 139
  1912
  In the month of October, '66, Sir Donald McLean was in a fix For the Hau Haus were going to fight like bricks.
  J. W. Witty, Colonial Songs 3
  colloquial and slang
2. P.3.b.
  1836–
  
  Originally U.S.like a thousand (also hundred) of brick(s) and variants: with great force; very violently or severely. Often in to come down on like a thousand (also hundred) of brick(s): to punish or reprimand (someone) severely. Now rare.
  In later use largely replaced by to come down on like a ton of bricks: see Phrases P.3c.
  1836
  Darn the Yankee tin pedlar..if I don't be into him with a thousand of brick!
  Hill's Yankee Story Teller's Own Book 32
  1840
  If I don't pitch into Ben Parson's ribs like a tousand of bricks.
  T. C. Haliburton, Clockmaker 3rd Series iv. 50
  1841
  They..rounded the first turn pretty much in a heap like a thousand of brick.
  Daily Picayune (New Orleans) 16 March 2/2
  1886
  The people at the Admiralty will be down on you like a hundred of bricks.
  R. Brown, Spunyarn & Spindrift vii. 123
  1911
  I had the whole gang down on me instantly like a thousand of bricks.
  A. Bennett, Hilda Lessways iii. ii. 226
  1969
  Because of my debt to Fussell, I have no desire to fall upon him like ‘a hundred of bricks’.
  Agric. History vol. 43 19
  U.S. English colloquial and slang
  the world action or operation manner of action violent action or operation [phrases] violently
  of hardc1330–1450
  
  of (also by, with) hard: with difficulty. Obsolete.
  at (the) utterance1480–1630
  
  at (the) utterance. With the highest degree of energy or vigour; with the utmost force or violence; to the last or uttermost degree. Frequently…
  hip and thigh1560–
  
  hip and thigh: unsparingly, ruthlessly; completely, utterly. Originally and chiefly in to smite hip and thigh: to attack without mercy or restraint…
  with a vengeance1568–
  
  with a vengeance. As an intensive: With great force or violence; in an extreme degree; to an unusual extent.
  with a powderc1600–
  
  A hurry, a rush. Chiefly in †with a powder: in great haste; impetuously, violently, forcefully (obsolete).
  with a siserary1607–1857
  
  with a siserary: with a vengeance; suddenly, promptly. Obsolete.
  full fling1614
  
  A hasty, reckless, or wanton movement, a rush. literal and figurative. at one fling: at one movement or impulse. full fling: with haste or force…
  with the vengeance1693
  
  with a vengeance. So with the vengeance. Obsolete. rare.
  like a thousand (also hundred) of brick(s)1836–
  
  Originally U.S. like a thousand (also hundred) of brick(s) and variants: with great force; very violently or severely. Often in to come down on li…
  View in Historical Thesaurus
3. P.3.c.
  1873–
  
  to come (also be) down on like a ton of bricks: to attack or punish with great vigour; to reprimand severely.
  1873
  If I owed him over a note, he was down on me like a ton of bricks.
  Hamilton (Victoria) Spectator 28 June
  1894
  A good few of the Johnnies can't pay, and they'll come down on me like a ton of bricks.
  To-day 26 May 70/1
  1938
  If there's any fighting I shall come down like a ton of bricks on both of you.
  G. Greene, Brighton Rock ii. ii. 91
  1967
  The..gentleman..made his living by selling books, and not those sort of books.., or the Super would have been down on the place long since like a ton of bricks.
  E. Grierson, Crime of one's Own xii. 98
  2005
  As long as you've not been trying to fiddle us you'll be alright,..but if you have, we'll come down on you like a ton of bricks.
  G. Hart in R. Bean, Harvest (Research Interviews) 136
  colloquial and slang
P.4.
1867–

another brick in the wall: a small component (of a much larger structure, system, or process, in early use esp. one being constructed or developed); an insignificant individual within a large population or community.
Popularized esp. as the collective title of a series of three songs by the British band Pink Floyd in their 1979 rock opera The Wall.
1867
It was only another brick in the wall of separation.
Sharpe's London Magazine February 60/1
1945
Branding the..bills as ‘merely another brick in the wall of totalitarianism being built in America’, the group..denounced the compulsory features of the proposals.
Corona (California) Daily Independent 2 March 4/2
1979
Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone... All in all you're just another brick in the wall.
R. Waters, Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 (transcribed from song) in ‘Pink Floyd’, The Wall
1988
The denial of the importance of size..is just another brick in the wall of male egoarmour.
J. Burchill in Sex & Sensibility (1992) 29
2004
He wasn't special, he wasn't unique, he was just another brick in the wall.
C. Byron, Testosterone Inc. iv. 47
P.5.
1892–

slang (originally U.S.). built like a brick house (also brick outhouse, brick shithouse) and variants: having a very solid physique; spec. (a) (Esp. of a man) having a robust and powerful build; (b) (of a woman) having a curvaceous figure, esp. one with a slim waist and large, prominent breasts.
In earlier use a number of different structures are used in analogy. Later, once the form built like a brick shithouse became standard, variants are usually euphemistic. This form is occasionally abbreviated to brick shithouse, etc., denoting a person of this build. Cf. also brick house n. 2.
1892
Old Roaney, mother says, was big in the girth and short in the couplin and built like a brick wall from the ground up.
Galveston (Texas) Daily News 24 July 12/5
1903
His weight doesn't indicate his strength, for he is built like a brick house.
Texan (University Texas, Austin) 7 October
1912
She is 16 and pretty: she is built like a brick wall.
Fort Wayne (Indiana) Sentinel 3 October 8/5
1922
Every time I fight him my hands are swollen for a week. He's built like a brick schoolhouse.
J. Tully, Emmett Lawler 286
1933
Wilma's a baby doll, built like a brick outhouse.
J. Conroy, Disinherited ii. i. 91
1949
Built like brick shathouses they was too.
E. Birney, Turvey 127
1964
The Sicilian babe... Small, stacked like a brick shithouse.
R. F. Mirvish, There you Are 222
1991
The driver is a hostile brick shithouse.
J. Phillips, You'll never eat Lunch in this Town Again (1992) 269
1999
Detective Flynn..has trouble concentrating on anything besides Goity's sumptuous bust... Built like a brick shithouse, he thinks.
New Eng. Review Spring 139
2001
I was nuts about him. My Jamie. Tall, dark, built like a brick house.
T. Parsons, One for my Baby xxix. 244
U.S. English colloquial and slang
P.6.
1909–

Australian. London to a brick: (in gambling contexts) used to indicate that a bet is sure to pay off; (hence in extended use) expressing the belief that something is a very strong probability. Often in to bet London to a brick.
From the idea that an outcome is so certain one would be prepared to bet the city of London against a ten pound note (see sense A.II.8).
1909
We think we are safe in betting London to a brick that one of the sweetest times of your life is when mounted on a Hallam Cycle.
Daily Post (Hobart, Tasmania) 24 December 12/7 (advertisement)
1935
Their opponents were a weak..combination, and it looked London to a brick on the Imperials.
Riverine Grazier (New South Wales) 22 May 2/5
1985
The moment they set foot in South Africa, it is London to a brick that Brisbane will have to kiss the Olympic Games goodbye.
Sydney Morning Herald 10 September 2/5
2017
Him being Catholic, I'd bet London to a brick he wouldn't have called for the doctor to help him end his life.
Weekly Times (Australia) (Nexis) 22 November 28
gambling Australian English
P.7.
1916–

British colloquial. to drop a brick: to make an indiscreet, awkward, or embarrassing remark; to commit a faux pas.
1916
‘Say! I haven't dropped a brick, have I?’ He looked from one face to another.
H. G. Wells, Mr. Britling sees it Through i. i. 26
1923
It was hinted to me pretty plainly that I had dropped a brick, as you say.
Punch 3 October 334
1990
They asked me to address the company at Stratford... I dread going backstage because I know I'll just drop another brick.
R. Critchfield, Among British v. 302
2010
Is there one of us who has never ‘dropped a brick’?.. How many of us have immediately issued an unqualified apology for saying something silly in the heat of the moment.
Cheddar Valley (Somerset) Gazette (Nexis) 14 October 26
British English colloquial and slang
the mind operation of the mind knowledge conformity with what is known, truth disregard for truth, falsehood lack of truth, falsity an error, mistake [intransitive verbs] blunder
shail1528–

figurative. To blunder, be wrong.
blunder1711–

intransitive. To make a stupid and gross mistake in doing anything. to blunder away (trans.): to throw away, lose by blundering: cf. to fool away at…
floor1835–

In various figurative uses. colloquial. intransitive. ? To commit a fatal blunder.
to make a bloomer1889–

slang. A very great mistake: chiefly in to make a bloomer.
pull1913–

transitive. U.S. colloquial. To make (a foolish mistake), to perpetrate (a blunder).
to drop a brick1916–

British colloquial. to drop a brick: to make an indiscreet, awkward, or embarrassing remark; to commit a faux pas.
boob1935–

intransitive. To make a foolish mistake; to blunder.
to put up a black1939–

Originally Services' slang. A serious mistake or blunder, esp. in to put up a black: to make a blunder.
goof1941–

intransitive. To blunder, to make a mistake. Occasionally const. off.
to screw up1942–

colloquial (originally U.S.). intransitive. To make a (serious) mistake; to blunder; to fail.
to drop a bollock1948–

British slang (originally and chiefly Military). to drop a bollock: to make a serious mistake. Cf. to drop a brick at brick, n.¹ & adj.¹phrases…
to drop a clanger1948–

A mistake, esp. one that attracts attention; a social faux pas. to drop a clanger, to make such a mistake, to ‘slip up’.
to cock up1974–

colloquial (not in U.S. use). intransitive. To make a (serious) mistake; to blunder; to fail.
View in Historical Thesaurus
P.8.
1929–

U.S. slang. on the bricks: on the street; esp. out of jail.
Cf. on the street at street n. & adj. Phrases P.4d, to hit the bricks at hit v. Phrases II.11d.
1929
Put on the bricks, released from jail.
M. A. Gill, Underworld Slang 9/2
1935
A grand will put you on the bricks.
N. Ersine, Underworld & Prison Slang 21
1977
In the joint, just the same as on the bricks, the whole idea is to make the dope look bigger than it is.
M. Torres in R. P. Rettig et al., Manny iii. 77/2
1990
What Rooski shared with no one was his most compelling reason for staying on the bricks this time.
S. Morgan, Homeboy vi. 44
2000
Walk-in informants,..phone tips, convicted snitches..didn't get as much information as the guys [sc. agents] out on the bricks.
N. DeMille, Lion's Game xxxvi. 296
U.S. English colloquial and slang
P.9.
1972–

Chiefly derogatory. thick as a brick: of low intelligence; stupid.
Cf. thick adj. A.III.9b.
1972
Your wise men don't know how it feels To be thick as a brick.
I. Anderson, Thick as a Brick (transcribed from song, perf. ‘Jethro Tull’)
1982
Even his eleven motor-cars can't prove he's not thick as a brick.
‘J. Gash’, Firefly Gadroon (1985) i. 10
2005
The man was thick as a brick and had the manners of a stump.
M. Atwood, Penelopiad xi. 77
derogatory
P.10.

bricks and clicks: see bricks and clicks n. to have (also carry) a brick in one's hat: see hat n. Phrases P.14. to make bricks without straw: see straw n.1 I.2a.

Pronunciation

British English

/brɪk/

brick

U.S. English

/brɪk/

brick

Frequency

brick is one of the 5,000 most common words in modern written English. It is similar in frequency to words like complicate, donor, furnish, mortality, and scenario.

It typically occurs about 20 times per million words in modern written English.

brick is in frequency band 6, which contains words occurring between 10 and 100 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

Frequency of brick, n.¹ & adj.¹, 1750–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Decade	Frequency per million words
1750	7.2
1760	11
1770	12
1780	11
1790	13
1800	20
1810	19
1820	17
1830	20
1840	18
1850	22
1860	20
1870	25
1880	26
1890	27
1900	32
1910	32
1920	31
1930	26
1940	25
1950	21
1960	17
1970	17
1980	17
1990	15
2000	16
2010	16

Frequency of brick, n.¹ & adj.¹, 2017–2023

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Period	Frequency per million words
Oct.–Dec. 2017	10
Jan.–Mar. 2018	10
Apr.–June 2018	11
July–Sept. 2018	10
Oct.–Dec. 2018	10
Jan.–Mar. 2019	10
Apr.–June 2019	11
July–Sept. 2019	11
Oct.–Dec. 2019	11
Jan.–Mar. 2020	9.4
Apr.–June 2020	9.6
July–Sept. 2020	10
Oct.–Dec. 2020	9.4
Jan.–Mar. 2021	9.6
Apr.–June 2021	10
July–Sept. 2021	9.5
Oct.–Dec. 2021	9.8
Jan.–Mar. 2022	9.2
Apr.–June 2022	10
July–Sept. 2022	9.5
Oct.–Dec. 2022	9.0
Jan.–Mar. 2023	9.1

Compounds & derived words

Show

All compounds & derived words
Curated compounds

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brickman, n. 1418–

A maker, seller, layer, or carter of bricks.

brickmaker, n. 1437–

A person who, or company which, makes bricks, esp. as a trade or occupation.

brick burner, n. a1441–

A person who bakes or fires bricks in a kiln; a brickmaker.

brick kiln, n. 1442–

A furnace or kiln for baking or firing bricks.

bricklayer, n. c1442–

A person whose job is to build walls, houses, and other structures with bricks; a person who lays bricks as an occupation or trade. Cf bricklaying, n.

brickstone, n. c1453–

A brick. Also: bricks collectively; brickwork.

brick wall, n.¹ 1465–

figurative and in figurative contexts. An obstacle or obstruction; an insurmountable problem. See also to hit a brick wall at phrases P.4.

white brick, n. 1468–

a. A light-coloured brick, esp. a hard, durable variety of brick made from gault; frequently attributive; †b. (apparently) = Bath brick, n…

bricker, n. 1482–

A brickmaker or brick manufacturer, or (in later use usually) a bricklayer. Cf. brickie, n., brickman, n.

bricklaying, n. 1483–

The action or process of building walls, houses, and other structures with bricks; the trade or skill of a bricklayer.

brickwork, n. 1483–

The bricks in a structure considered collectively; the style or manner in which such bricks have been arranged or treated. In early use also: a…

brick axe, n. ?1502–

A tool used by bricklayers for cutting and shaping bricks.

brick-end, n. & adj. 1527–

A broken piece or fragment of brick; a brickbat.

brickery, n. 1531–

A place where bricks are made or kept.

brickbat, n. 1563–

A piece or lump of brick (or sometimes rock, etc.), esp. when thrown at someone or something. Cf. bat, n.² II.8a.

brick dust, n. & adj. 1573–

Powdered brick; fine particles of brick.

bricks and mortar, n. & adj. 1576–

More usually in form brick and mortar. Brick and mortar taken together as a building material or method of construction. Cf. mortar, n.² 1a.

brick, v. 1579–

transitive. To line, face, or pave (a structure or surface) with bricks. Cf. to brick over at phrasal verbs.

red brick, n. & adj. 1587–

A builder's brick of a brownish red colour; such bricks used as a building material.

brick-built, adj. 1596–

Of a building or other structure: made of bricks.

bricky, adj. 1596–

Consisting of or constructed from bricks; characterized by a large number of bricks; containing pieces or fine particles of brick.

brick clamp, n. 1597–

A large stack or pile of unbaked bricks assembled for firing in the open air, in which fuel is placed among or under the bricks. Cf. clamp, n.³ 1.

unbrick, v. 1598–

transitive. To remove bricks from; to open up, set free, by the removal of bricks.

semi-brick, n. 1601

A half-baked brick.

brick house, n. 1608–

A house made of brick.

brickmaking, n. 1612–

The action or process of making bricks; the making of bricks as a trade or occupation.

brickyard, n. 1618–

A yard or site where bricks are manufactured.

place brick, n. 1621–

Originally: a brick made of soft clay, and laid on a prepared surface to harden before being burnt (see quot. 1753). Later also: an ordinary stock…

brick earth, n. 1640–

Earth or clay suitable for making bricks.

brick oven, n. 1644–

An oven made from firebricks, used primarily for baking bread and other dough products.

brickish, adj. 1648–

Of, relating to, or resembling brick or bricks; spec. of a colour resembling that of brick (cf. brick, adj.¹ B.2).

brick-brack, n. 1649–

A brickbat. Also figurative: a criticism, an insult.

brick oil, n. 1656–

A preparation typically made by distilling oil in which brick dust or hot bricks have been soaked, used medicinally for the treatment of a variety of…

Roman brick, n. 1656–

Brick made by, or of a type similar to that made by, the ancient Romans, in the form of long, narrow blocks; (also) a brick of this type.

Dutch brick, n. 1657–

rubbed brick, n. 1663–

A soft clay brick with a smooth polished surface, chiefly used for ornamental and high-quality brickwork (= rubber, n.¹ I.7); brickwork consisting of…

lath-brick, n. 1677–

A long narrow brick used for the floors of grain-kilns.

stock-brick, n. 1683–

A hard solid brick, pressed in the mould.

brick clay, n. 1688–

Clay suitable for making bricks.

brick hammer, n. 1688–

A masonry hammer having a head that is flat (and often square in profile) on one side and chisel-shaped on the other, typically used for cutting or…

brick mould, n.¹ 1688–

A mould for shaping clay, etc., into bricks.

brick-like, adj. 1699–

That resembles brick as a substance or building material. Also: that is like a brick in size, weight, or shape.

Kentish brick, n. 1700–

cogging-brick, n. 1703–

See quot. 1703.

compass-brick, n. 1703–

(See quot.).

paving brick, n. 1703–

statute brick, n. 1703–

well brick, n. 1703–

A curved brick for lining a well.

penny brick, n. 1716–

A loaf of bread shaped like a brick, a tin loaf; cf. brick, n.¹ A.II.4b.

brick loaf, n. 1723–

A loaf of bread or a cake having a brick-like, rectangular shape. Cf. brick, n.¹ A.II.4b.

bricking, n. 1725–

The action of lining, facing, paving, or enclosing something with bricks. Frequently with adverbs, as in, up, etc.; cf. brick, v. phrasal verbs.

brickfield, n. 1726–

A field or other open site where bricks are made.

Flemish brick, n. 1728–

(See quot. 1842).

pilaster brick, n. 1728–

heading brick, n. 1731–

= header brick, n.

brick pond, n. 1735–

A pond that has formed in a pit dug to quarry clay for bricks.

brick barge, n. 1738–

A flat-bottomed boat used to transport bricks, esp. along rivers and canals.

brick-red, adj. & n. 1740–

Of the colour of red brick; deep brownish red.

front brick, n. 1747–

A high-quality brick used for facing buildings; these collectively as a building material.

firebrick, n. 1749–

A brick capable of withstanding intense heat without fusion or breakage; such bricks collectively; the material of which such bricks are made.

brick mould, n.² 1750–

A crumbly soil found in Jamaica which consists of a mixture of clay and sand and is particularly suitable for the cultivation of sugar cane.

brick-on-edge, adj. 1750–

Designating a construction, or course of bricks, in which each brick is laid with its smallest face showing in the external vertical surface, with…

brickhood, n. 1752

The state or condition of being made of brick.

brick soap, n. 1753–

Soap that is manufactured in a rectangular brick-like block; a bar of this.

brick soap, n. 1753–

brick tin, n. 1753–

A rectangular metal container used in food preparation, esp. a baking tin of this shape used for making bread and cakes. rare.

brick bread, n. 1762

Bread baked in a brick-like rectangular loaf. Cf. brick loaf, n.

brick trimmer, n. 1774–1905

An arched course of bricks built into a wooden floor below a fireplace to provide fire-resistant support for the hearth; cf. trimmer, n. 4.

facing brick, n. 1780–

brick tax, n. 1784–

A tax levied on the manufacture or use of bricks, esp. that levied on brick manufacturers in Britain between 1784 and 1850.

brick tea, n. 1789–

Tea in the form of a solid brick-like block made by steaming and compressing coarse tea leaves, stalks, and tea dust.

house brick, n. 1800–

brickette, n. 1806–

A small block of compressed coal dust or other combustible material used as fuel; esp. a typically pillow-shaped block of compressed fuel for…

draining-brick, n. 1807–

face-brick, n. 1807–

A high-quality brick used for facing buildings, etc., a facing-brick; (also) these collectively as a building material, esp. when masking an inferior…

mud-brick, n. 1810–

A brick made of (usually unfired) mud; such bricks collectively; frequently attributive.

bricksetter, n. 1811–

Chiefly English regional (northern and midlands). A bricklayer.

cutting-brick, n. 1815–

= cutter, n.¹ 7.

marl brick, n. 1815–

gold brick, n. 1820–

A brick-shaped block of gold, used as a medium of exchange.

spawn-brick, n. c1820–

A brick-shaped mass of compost containing mushroom-spawn.

brick nog, n. 1822–

Brickwork in a timber frame. Cf. nog, n.¹ 2.

blue brick, n. 1823–

A hard and strong dark blue brick made from clay with a high iron oxide content; (also, as a mass noun) such bricks used as a building material; also…

brick-throwing, n. 1823–

The action of throwing a brick or bricks at someone; the use of bricks as missiles. Also figurative: the hurling of condemnations or insults. Cf…

malm brick, n. 1824–

= malm, n. 3.

brick press, n. 1825–

A machine or device used in the making or manufacturing of bricks to press and consolidate the clay.

air-brick, n. 1835–

A perforated brick or other insert in the wall of a building, used for ventilation.

Bath brick, n. 1837–

A preparation of calcareous earth moulded in form of a brick, made at Bridgwater; used for cleaning polished metal.

brick cheese, n. 1837–

Any of various types of cheese produced in brick-like rectangular blocks; spec. (U.S.) a mild, sweet, semi-soft cheese originating from Wisconsin…

brickstamp, n. 1837–

A stamp used to impress a brick with an inscription, image, or symbol; an impression in a brick made using such a stamp.

wire-cut brick, n. 1839–

A brick manufactured by means of a mechanized process in which a long bar of clay is extruded through a die and cut into bricks using wire.

hot brick, n. 1840–

In similative phrases, as to drop (a thing or person) like a hot brick: = hot potato, n. 1a.

bricktop, n. 1841–

A head of red hair; (also) a person having this. Often (with capital initial) as a nickname for a red-haired person. Cf. brick, adj.¹ B.2b…

header brick, n. 1841–

A brick or stone laid with its end showing in the face of the wall; cf. header, n. 5a.

brick stitch, n. 1842–

A type of stitching consisting of staggered rows or zigzagging columns of short stitches that form a pattern resembling bonded brickwork. Also: a…

wood brick, n. 1842–

A block of wood cut to the size and shape of a brick, inserted in the interior walls of a building as a hold for joinery (Gwilt).

brickie, n. 1847–

A brickmaker or (now more frequently) bricklayer.

bricken, adj. 1851–

Made of brick.

angle brick, n. 1852–

A brick whose sides are shaped so as to enable an angle other than 90 degrees to be turned.

brick box, n. 1857–

A box of toy building blocks for children; the blocks in such a box regarded collectively.

scouring brick, n. 1858–

A Bath brick (see quot.).

stretcher-brick, n. 1867–

(See stretcher, n. II.10a).

brick dryer, n. 1868–

An oven in which bricks are dried before firing.

brick veneer, n. & adj. 1878–

A non-structural facing of brick applied to the exterior of a building, typically over cheaper structural materials, in order to reduce costs while…

gauge brick, n. 1880–

(See quots.).

brick couching, n. 1881–

A type of couching in which threads or cords are laid horizontally and secured by vertical stitches in an arrangement resembling bonded brickwork…

loam brick, n. 1881–

brickscape, n. 1885–

A view or prospect dominated by brick structures, as in a town or city; an urban landscape.

sneezing brick, n. 1887–

(See quot. 1887).

brick-barred, adj. 1888

Inlaid with rows of bricks.

brick area, n. 1895–

A residential area in which the houses are made of brick or brick veneer, often regarded as representing middle-class respectability.

peat brick, n. 1897–

pillar-brick, n. 1906–

A brick placed on end, used in building a clamp.

engineering brick, n. 1908–

A brick which is strong, dense, semi-vitreous, and impervious to water, used in the construction of underground or exposed areas of a building; the…

glass brick, n. 1909–

(See quot. 1909).

rug brick, n. 1914–

A rough-surfaced brick.

chrome brick, n. 1921–

A brick made from chrome iron ore.

texture brick, n. 1940–

A roughened or rough-hewn brick.

tea-brick, n. 1962–

A brick of compressed tea leaves (cf. brick tea, n.).

chicken brick, n. 1966–

An earthenware pot with a deep base and lid, used for roasting a chicken in its own juices.

brick pack, n. 1971–

A brick-shaped package of coffee, tea, rice, or another dry foodstuff; (chiefly U.S.) a rectangular carton of juice, milk, or other liquid. Also: a…

brick venereal, adj. 1972–

Of or relating to a suburban housing development characterized by houses having homogeneous facings of brick veneer, in a style perceived as ugly and…

brick-cold, adj. 1995–

Of conditions or the weather: very cold, freezing. Cf. brick, adj.²

bricks and clicks, n. 1999–

A business strategy or type of business involving the use of both physical retail outlets and the internet to sell goods or provide services; chiefly…

arch-brick, n.

Bristol-brick, n.

A siliceous material made in the form of a brick, used for cleaning cutlery.

timber-brick, n.

A brick-shaped block of wood, inserted in brickwork.

C.1.

attributive.
1. C.1.a.
  1418–
  
  With the sense ‘of or relating to brick or bricks’, ‘that works with bricks’, ‘used for bricks, or in making bricks’; as brick-mason, brick-stack, brick-pit, etc.
  Recorded earliest in brickman n. and brick tile.
  See also brick kiln n. (first attested 1442), brickstone n. (c1453), brickwork n. (1483), brick axe n. (1533–4), brick clamp n. (1597), brickyard n. (1618), brick mould n.1 (1688), brick hammer n. (1688), brick clay n., (1688), brickfield n. (1726), brick barge n. (1738), brick mould n.2 (1750), brick tax n. (1784), brick press n. (1825), etc.
  1418
  Henry Sondergyltes, brykeman [employed..to make] bryktill [at Deptford].
  in L. F. Salzman, Building in England (1992) viii. 142
  c1435
  Brekemasons.
  in C. L. Kingsford, Rep. MSS Lord de l'Isle & Dudley (1925) vol. I. 213 (Middle English Dictionary)
  1605
  Pd to Thoms Jenkinson brickmayson for chalke haire..iij s x d.
  Churchwardens' Acct. Leverton in Archaeologia (1867) vol. 41 367
  1700
  A Brick Trowel.
  Moxon's Mechanick Exercises: Bricklayers-wks. 8
  1823
  The Brick-trowel is used for spreading mortar, and likewise for cutting bricks.
  P. Nicholson, New Practical Builder 384
  1858
  Whatever there is no room for in the Greenhouse must be consigned to the brick-pits.
  G. Glenny, Gardener's Every-day Book (new edition) 251
  1886
  A large circular brick furnace..erected conveniently near the saw-mill.
  Encyclopædia Britannica vol. XXI. 345/2
  1915
  A severe bombardment of the ‘brickstacks’ and the enemy's trenches.
  Times 15 April 4/1
  1998
  Certain well-defined kinds of dug pit—gravel-pits, brick-pits, marl-pits,..ochre-pits—sometimes happen to occur in woodland.
  O. Rackham, Trees & Woodland in British Landscape (revised edition) vi. 118
  brickmaking
  society occupation and work worker workers according to type of work manual or industrial worker builder [nouns] builder of walls bricklayer
  brickman1418–
  
  A maker, seller, layer, or carter of bricks.
  brick-mason1418–
  
  With the sense ‘of or relating to brick or bricks’, ‘that works with bricks’, ‘used for bricks, or in making bricks’; as brick-mason, brick-stack…
  bricklayerc1442–
  
  A person whose job is to build walls, houses, and other structures with bricks; a person who lays bricks as an occupation or trade. Cf bricklaying, n.
  bricker1482–
  
  A brickmaker or brick manufacturer, or (in later use usually) a bricklayer. Cf. brickie, n., brickman, n.
  troweller1611–
  
  One who uses a trowel.
  trowel-mana1637–
  
  One who uses a trowel; spec. a mason, bricklayer, or the like; also figurative.
  red mason1700–
  
  A bricklayer.
  bricksetter1811–
  
  Chiefly English regional (northern and midlands). A bricklayer.
  brickie1847–
  
  A brickmaker or (now more frequently) bricklayer.
  View in Historical Thesaurus
  society occupation and work materials derived or manufactured material clay compositions baked clay brick [nouns] pile of bricks
  brick-stack1915–
  
  With the sense ‘of or relating to brick or bricks’, ‘that works with bricks’, ‘used for bricks, or in making bricks’; as brick-mason, brick-stack…
  View in Historical Thesaurus
2. C.1.b.
  
  With the sense ‘forming part of a brick, derived from brick’.
  See brick-end n. (first attested 1527), brickbat n. (1563), brick dust n. A.1 (1573).
3. C.1.c.
  
  With the sense ‘resembling a brick in shape’.
  See brick loaf n. (first attested 1723), brick soap n. (1753), brick tin n. (1753), brick bread n. (1762), brick tea n. (1789), brick cheese n. (1837), brick pack n. (1974).
4. C.1.d.
  
  With the sense ‘resembling the pattern of brickwork’.
  See brick stitch n. (first attested 1842), brick couching n. (1881).
C.2.
c1440–

Objective, as brick carrier, brick carter, brick carting, brick former, brick moulder, brick moulding, etc.
Recorded earliest in brickmaker n.
See also brick burner n. (first attested a1441), bricklayer n. (c1442), bricklaying n. (1483) brickmaking n. (1612), bricksetter n. (1811), brick-throwing n. (1823), brick dryer n. (1868).
c1440
Baldwin, Brekemeker, for making Waltyle.
in C. L. Kingsford, Rep. MSS Lord de l'Isle & Dudley (1925) vol. I. 215 (Middle English Dictionary)
1552
Brycke former or maker, plasmator.
R. Huloet, Abcedarium Anglico Latinum
1739
Their most learned Rabbins were more ignorant..than..a common Israelitish Brick-carrier.
W. N. Blomberg, Account Life & Writings E. Dickinson (new edition) 177
1851
The remaining portion of his time is occupied either at rubbish-carting or brick-carting.
H. Mayhew, London Labour vol. II. 223/2
1872
Brick moulding by machinery.
W. Crookes, translation of R. von Wagner, Handbook Chem. Technology 312 (heading)
1886
There was considerable hissing around the back end of the boiler, and the brick cleaner went to the back end.
Locomotive September 130
1908
A nuggety lump of a young fellow, John W. Hoad, a brick carter.
Truth (Sydney) 11 October 11/5
1989
He dispatched them with quick little jujitsu brick-breaker thrusts to the throat.
G. Keillor, Art of Self-defense in We are still Married (1990) 336
2005
If you have old brickwork, clean it using brick acid, then use a brick sealer.
LivingEtc August 118/1
C.3.
1596–

Instrumental, similative, or parasynthetic, forming adjectives, as brick-coloured, brick-floored, brick-lined, brick-paved, brick-sized, brick-shaped, etc.
Recorded earliest in brick-built adj.
See also brick-walled adj. (first attested 1647 at brick-walled adj.), brick-barred adj. (1888).
1596
I sought not for a stately brick-built Castle.
F. Sabie, Adams Complaint sig. B3
1621
There is little stirring in those brick-paved streets in Sommer about noone.
R. Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy i. ii. ii. v. 108
1675
Precipitating a brick-coloured powder out of a strong solution of Sublimate.
R. Boyle, Of Mech. Causes Chymical Precipitation iv. 22 in Exper. Particular Qualities
1846
The dried ‘peat bats’, or brick-shaped turf, used for fuel.
Journal of Royal Agricultural Society vol. 7 ii. 517
1881
The trim and brick-bound conventionality of the London mansion.
J. Hawthorne, Fortune's Fool (1883) i. xviii
1890
The church is..built of brick-faced Yorkshire parpoints.
Tablet 28 June 1026
1898
I used to..go..slowly across the brick-floored hall.
E. von Arnim, Elizabeth & her German Garden 10
1977
Brick-sized paving stones roughened with wear and intended for cart wheels not bicycle tyres.
G. Nicholson, Great Bike Ride (1978) v. 69
1983
It was a frame building,..flat-roofed, sheathed in brick-patterned tarpaper.
E. McClanahan, Nat. Man (1984) vii. 83
1994
A brick-clad box with mullioned windows.
Guardian 26 March (Weekend Supplement) 67/2
2010
Pressing the coffee-coloured powder into brick-shaped blocks.
J. McGregor, Even Dogs (2011) iii. 116
2016
Advanced sanitation, including flushing toilets connected to brick-lined sewers.
New Scientist 2 July 36/2
the world matter colour named colours red or redness [adjectives] brownish-red
rustya1398–

Of the colour of rust; light reddish brown. Formerly also as n.: †a reddish-brown colour (obsolete rare). Cf. rust, n.¹ A.II.8.
hepaticc1420–

Liver-coloured, dark brownish-red; as in hepatic aloes, hepatic tanager.
horseflesh1530–

attributive, usually in reference to the colour, a peculiar reddish bronze.
rubiginousa1538–

Originally: †tending to corrode or rust, affected by rust (obsolete). In later use: rust-coloured, reddish-brown, ferruginous.
iron1587

Designating the dark grey colour of iron; of this colour. Also: of the colour of rust, designating such a colour.
bricky1615–

Of the nature of a brick; resembling a brick, esp. in colour.
ferrugineous1633–

Resembling iron rust in colour; of a reddish brown; = ferruginous, adj. 1.
sand-reda1639–

Of a sandy red colour.
brickish1648–

Of, relating to, or resembling brick or bricks; spec. of a colour resembling that of brick (cf. brick, adj.¹ B.2).
ferruginous1656–

Resembling iron rust in colour; reddish brown.
lateritious1656–

Resembling or made of brick; spec. of the colour of brick; brick red or (Mycology) dark brick-red; designating this colour.
brick-coloured1675

Instrumental, similative, or parasynthetic, forming adjectives, as brick-coloured, brick-floored, brick-lined, brick-paved, brick-sized, brick-shaped…
blood bay1684–

a. adj. (Of a horse) of a deep reddish bay colour; b. n. a horse of this colour.
testaceous1688–

Of the colour of a tile, a flowerpot, unglazed pottery, etc.; dull red; in Zoology and Botany applied to shades of brownish red, brownish yellow…
rust-coloureda1691–

Of the colour of rust; reddish-brown. Cf. rust, n.¹ A.II.8.
red brick1707–

Of the brownish red colour typical of red bricks; designating this colour; = brick-red, adj.
brick-red1740–

Of the colour of red brick; deep brownish red.
brick-dust-like1765–

maroon1771–

Of a brownish-crimson or claret colour.
rufous1782–

Brownish red; rust-coloured, reddish.
brick-dusty1817–

Of the colour of brick dust; (also) covered with or containing brick dust.
rusted1818–

That is or has become rust-coloured, esp. from age or decay.
worm red1831–

? dull brownish red; also n.
brownish-red1832–

brownish-coloured; also with other colours, as brownish-black, brownish-grey, brownish-red, etc.
brown-red1835–

brunneo-testaceous1847–

Of a colour between dark brown and dull brick red.
foxy1850–

Fox-coloured, reddish brown or yellow.
rust1854–

Of a reddish-brown colour like that of rust; = rust-coloured, adj. Cf. compounds C.1c.
henna-coloured1865–

Of the reddish-brown colour of henna; (also) dyed with henna.
chestnut-red1882–

terracotta1882–

The colour of this pottery, a brownish red of various shades.
copper-red1883–

fox-red1910–

Similative, as fox-red adj.
oxblood1918–

Of the colour of oxblood; spec. of a deep red colour tinged with brown.
tony1921–

A fashion colour between red and brown; also as n. temporary.
henna-brown1931–

With colour words, forming adjectives and nouns, as henna-brown, henna-red, etc.
henna-red2002–

With colour words, forming adjectives and nouns, as henna-brown, henna-red, etc.
View in Historical Thesaurus
society inhabiting and dwelling inhabited place a building parts of building floor [adjectives] floored in specific manner
planchered1440–1600

Boarded; covered or floored with wooden planks.
well-floored1555–

Having or provided with a good floor.
slate-floored1648–

Instrumental, as slate-floored, slate-formed, slate-hung, slate-pointed, slate-roofed, slate-spired, slate-strewn; slate-thatcher.
flaggeda1661–

Paved with flags or slabs of marble, stone, etc.
quarried1842–

Of a floor: paved with quarries (quarry, n.³ 2).
flagstoned1885–

Paved with flagstones.
brick-barred1888

Inlaid with rows of bricks.
brick-floored1898–

Instrumental, similative, or parasynthetic, forming adjectives, as brick-coloured, brick-floored, brick-lined, brick-paved, brick-sized, brick-shaped…
View in Historical Thesaurus

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What does the word brick mean?

How common is the word brick?

How is the word brick pronounced?

British English

U.S. English

Where does the word brick come from?

Nearby entries

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Summary

Notes

Meaning & use

Quotations

Contents

Earlier version

In other dictionaries

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British English

U.S. English

British English

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U.S. English

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Other symbols

Simple Text Respell

Consonants

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Frequency

Frequency of brick, n.¹ & adj.¹, 1750–2010

Frequency of brick, n.¹ & adj.¹, 2017–2023

Compounds & derived words

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