brain

[ breyn ]

/ breɪn /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology. the part of the central nervous system enclosed in the cranium of humans and other vertebrates, consisting of a soft, convoluted mass of gray and white matter and serving to control and coordinate the mental and physical actions.

Zoology. (in many invertebrates) a part of the nervous system more or less corresponding to the brain of vertebrates.

Sometimes brains. (used with a plural verb) understanding; intellectual power; intelligence.

the brain as the center of thought, understanding, etc.; mind; intellect.

brains, Slang. a member of a group who is regarded as its intellectual leader or planner: The junior partner is the brains of the firm.

Informal. a very intelligent or brilliant person.

Informal.

the controlling or guiding mechanism in a computer, robot, pacemaker, etc.
the part of a computer system for coordination or guidance, as of a missile.

verb (used with object)

to smash the skull of.

Slang. to hit or bang (someone) on the head.

Idioms for brain

beat one's brains out, Informal. to try very hard to understand and work out a problem, remember something, etc.: She beat her brains out studying for the exam.

have something on the brain, to have an obsession; be occupied with: Lately I seem to have food on the brain.

pick someone's brains, to obtain information by questioning another person rather than by seeking it independently: He refused to prepare for the exam but counted on being able to pick his roommate's brains.

Origin of brain

before 1000; Middle English; Old English bræg(e)n, bregen; cognate with Low German brägen, Dutch brein

SYNONYMS FOR brain

3 sense; capacity. See mind.

OTHER WORDS FROM brain

brain·like, adjective su·per·brain, noun

Words nearby brain

brail, braille, braillewriter, braillist, brailowsky, brain, brain candy, brain cell, brain concussion, brain coral, brain damage

British Dictionary definitions for beat one's brains out

brain

/ (breɪn) /

noun

the soft convoluted mass of nervous tissue within the skull of vertebrates that is the controlling and coordinating centre of the nervous system and the seat of thought, memory, and emotion. It includes the cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum Technical name: encephalon Related adjectives: cerebral, encephalic

the main neural bundle or ganglion of certain invertebrates

(often plural) informal intellectual ability he's got brains

informal shrewdness or cunning

informal an intellectual or intelligent person

(usually plural; functioning as singular) informal a person who plans and organizes an undertaking or is in overall control of an organization, etc

an electronic device, such as a computer, that performs apparently similar functions to the human brain

on the brain constantly in mind I had that song on the brain

pick someone's brain to obtain information or ideas from someone

verb (tr)

to smash the skull of

slang to hit hard on the head

Word Origin for brain

Old English brægen; related to Old Frisian brein, Middle Low German bregen, Greek brekhmos forehead

Medical definitions for beat one's brains out

brain

[ brān ]

n.

The portion of the central nervous system that is enclosed within the cranium, continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion. encephalon

Scientific definitions for beat one's brains out

brain

[ brān ]

The part of the nervous system in vertebrates that is enclosed within the skull, is connected with the spinal cord, and is composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the control center of the central nervous system, receiving sensory impulses from the rest of the body and transmitting motor impulses for the regulation of voluntary movement. The brain also contains the centers of consciousness, thought, language, memory, and emotion. See more at brainstem cerebellum cerebrum.

A bundle of nerves in many invertebrate animals that is similar to the vertebrate brain in function and position.

Cultural definitions for beat one's brains out

brain

The central organ in the nervous system, protected by the skull. The brain consists of the medulla, which sends signals from the spinal cord to the rest of the brain and also controls the autonomic nervous system; the pons, a mass of nerve fibers connected to the medulla; the cerebellum, which controls balance and coordination; and the cerebrum, the outer layer of which, the cerebral cortex, is the location of memory, sight, speech, and other higher functions.

The cerebrum contains two hemispheres (the left hemisphere and the right hemisphere), each of which controls different functions. In general, the right hemisphere controls the left side of the body and such functions as spatial perception, whereas the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and functions such as speech.

Under the cerebral cortex are the thalamus, the main relay center between the medulla and the cerebrum; and the hypothalamus, which controls blood pressure, body temperature, hunger, thirst, sex drive, and other visceral functions.

Idioms and Phrases with beat one's brains out (1 of 2)

beat one's brains out

Make a great mental effort to understand, solve, or remember something, as in Joe's beating his brains out to finish this puzzle. Christopher Marlowe used this hyperbolic idiom in The Massacre of Paris (1593): “Guise beats his brains to catch us in his trap.” Also see rack one's brains.

Idioms and Phrases with beat one's brains out (2 of 2)

brain

In addition to the idioms beginning with brain

brain drain
brain someone
brain trust

also see:

beat one's brains out
blow one's brains out
on one's mind (the brain)
pick someone's brains
rack one's brains

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

brain