The Collaborative International Dictionary
Brush \Brush\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brushed (br[u^]sht); p. pr. & vb. n. Brushing.] [OE. bruschen; cf. F. brosser. See Brush, n.]
To apply a brush to, according to its particular use; to rub, smooth, clean, paint, etc., with a brush. ``A' brushes his hat o' mornings.''
--Shak.-
To touch in passing, or to pass lightly over, as with a brush.
Some spread their sailes, some with strong oars sweep The waters smooth, and brush the buxom wave.
--Fairfax.Brushed with the kiss of rustling wings.
--Milton. -
To remove or gather by brushing, or by an act like that of brushing, or by passing lightly over, as wind; -- commonly with off.
As wicked dew as e'er my mother brushed With raven's feather from unwholesome fen.
--Shak.And from the boughts brush off the evil dew.
--Milton.To brush aside, to remove from one's way, as with a brush.
To brush away, to remove, as with a brush or brushing motion.
To brush up, to paint, or make clean or bright with a brush; to cleanse or improve; to renew.
You have commissioned me to paint your shop, and I have done my best to brush you up like your neighbors.
--Pope.
Usage examples of "to brush aside".
She's focused on the baby and her work and has always been one to brush aside anything that interfered with her concentration.
He had made light of the caution, trying to brush aside her concern-even while admitting to her that she was right.
Should the full power of the Valheru rise up in Tomas untempered, he would be able to brush aside our protective magic much as you would a bothersome twig barring your way upon the trail.
The psychic shield around her felt deceptively passive, as easy to brush aside as a cobweb.
She lifted one arm out of the water to brush aside a fleck of soap that dripped onto her face.
Here on the open plain, dwarfed but not protected by the looming hills, things that were travelers' tales in the Hayholt or Elvritshalla, ghost-fables to enliven a dull evening, were no longer so easy to brush aside with a laughing remark.
It had taken a maddening amount of self control not to brush aside her hands and lower his face to her breasts, finding out for himself if she was half as sweet to his tongue as she was to his eyes.