—n.
1 a a small, usu. rectangular, block of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building. b the material used to make these. c a similar block of concrete etc.
2 Brit. a child's toy building-block.
3 a brick-shaped solid object (a brick of ice-cream).
4 sl. a generous or loyal person.
—v.tr. (foll. by in, up) close or block with brickwork.
—adj.
1 built of brick (brick wall).
2 of a dull red colour.
Phrases and idioms:
bang (or knock or run) one's head against a brick wall attempt the impossible. brick-field a place at which bricks are made. brick-red the colour of bricks. like a load (or ton) of bricks colloq. with crushing weight, force, or authority. see through a brick wall have miraculous insight.
Derivatives:
bricky adj.
Etymology: ME f. MLG, MDu. bri(c)ke, of unkn. orig.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.