Word: brain Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *mregʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-n̥ Proto-Indo-European *mrógʰ-n̥ ~ *mrégʰ-n̥-s Proto-Germanic *bragną Proto-West Germanic *bragn Old English bræġn Middle English brayn English brain Inherited from Middle English brayn, from Old English bræġn, from Proto-West Germanic *bragn, from Proto-Germanic *bragną, from Proto-Indo-European *mrógʰ-n̥ ~ *mrégʰ-n̥-s, from *mregʰ- + *-n̥. Cognate with Scots braine, brane (“brain”), North Frisian brayen, brein, Brain (“brain”), Saterland Frisian Brainge, Bräienge (“brain”), West Frisian brein (“brain”), Dutch brein (“brain”), Low German Brägen, Bregen (“brain”) (whence German Bregen (“animal brain”)), Ancient Greek βρεχμός (brekhmós, “front part of the skull, top of the head”). Pronunciation: /ˈbɹeɪ̯n/, /ˈbɹæ̝ɪ̯n/, /ˈbɾen/, /ˈbɾein/ 1. The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The Ueynes are ſpred foorth throughout the whole bodie, howbeit from one welhead, that is to ſay from the Liuer: ſo be the Sinews, howbeit from the Brayne; So likewiſe are the Heartſtrings, howbeit from the Heart. Example: The brain of a calf, sheep, and pig, young and served fresh, is reputedly erotic in its effects. 2. The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The left brain, or that which supplies and animates the right side of the body, is the most active brain, as a general rule. Example: What is expressed in the lotus, the plumed serpent, or the staff of Osiris is the yogi's knowledge of the three brains of man. The first brain is the reptilian brain of the spinal cord, the brain of instinctive reflexes, the brain of the subconscious. 3. The control center of the central nervous system of an animal located in the skull which is responsible for perception, cognition, attention, memory, emotion, and action. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: caused the young Princess, the King's only Daughter, to be taken and thrust into a large velvet Sack, and her Brains to be knockt out with great Bars 4. Mind. Labels: countable, informal, uncountable Example: I have too much on my brain today. Example: And I should tell him all my pain, / ⁠And how my life had droop’d of late, / ⁠And he should sorrow o’er my state / And marvel what possess’d my brain; […] 5. Intellect. Labels: countable, in-plural, uncountable Example: "We provided a lot of brains and a lot of heart to the response when it was needed," says Sandra Sanchez, director of AFSC's Immigrants' Voice Program in Des Moines. Example: She has a lot of brains. 6. An intelligent person. Labels: countable, informal, uncountable Example: She was a total brain. Example: Peebee: The brains and I are comparing Remnant notes and filling in the blanks. 7. An intelligent person. Labels: countable, informal, plural, plural-only, uncountable Example: He is the brains behind the scheme. 8. An intelligent person. Labels: countable, informal, singular, uncountable Example: Gerald always acts like he doesn't have a brain. 9. By analogy with a human brain, the part of a machine or computer that performs calculations. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: The computer's brain is capable of millions of calculations a second. 10. Oral sex. Labels: slang, uncountable, vulgar Example: Have you ever popped champagne on a plane, while gettin' some brain? Example: You said I got brain from your dame in the range / In the passing lane / But you really ain't got no proof 11. A loose compartment of a backpack that straps on over the top opening. Labels: countable, uncountable