brass

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brass /br'ɑːs, br'æs/
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Brass is a yellow-coloured metal made from copper and zinc. It is used especially for making ornaments and musical instruments.
The instrument is beautifully made in brass.
2 [N-SING]
The brass is the section of an orchestra which consists of brass wind instruments such as trumpets and horns.
3 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you get down to brass tacks, you discuss the basic, most important facts of a situation.
Angola's ruling party was due to get down to brass tacks today with a debate on the party's record.brass band (brass bands)
[N-COUNT]
A brass band is a band that is made up of brass and percussion instruments.brass rub|bing (brass rubbings)
[N-COUNT]
A brass rubbing is a picture made by placing a piece of paper over a brass plate that has writing or a picture on it, and rubbing it with a wax crayon.top brass
[N-SING-COLL] also no det, oft with supp
In the army or in other organizations, the top brass are the people in the highest positions. (BRIT INFORMAL)
...a reshuffle of the army's top brass.

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