Brick

Definition

Brick refers to a rectangular block made of clay or other materials, used in construction for building walls, pavements, and other structures. It can also refer to an electronic device that is damaged or unusable ("bricked") or a dependable and solid person (informally).

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /brɪk/
• Respelling: brik

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /brɪk/
• Respelling: brik

The pronunciation of "brick" is identical in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "brick" comes from the Middle Dutch word "bricke," meaning "a broken piece," possibly due to bricks’ resemblance to small, broken stones. It entered the English language in the 15th century, initially describing rectangular blocks of clay used in construction.

Derivatives

• Brickwork (noun)
• Bricklayer (noun)
• Bricklaying (noun)
• Bricklike (adjective)
• Bricked (verb)

Synonyms

• Block
• Stone
• Masonry unit

Antonyms

• None

Usage

The term "brick" is commonly used in construction to refer to blocks made of clay, concrete, or other materials, used as building units for walls and pavements. In modern slang, to "brick" a device means to render it inoperable, often due to software malfunction. Additionally, in informal British English, calling someone a "brick" signifies that they are dependable or solid in character.

Related Terms

• Masonry: The craft of building structures from individual units, including bricks and stones.
• Block: A larger solid piece of material, sometimes used in place of bricks in construction.
• Tile: A thin piece of material, often ceramic, used in construction but usually smaller and thinner than a brick.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A rectangular block used in construction: Refers to blocks made from clay, concrete, or similar materials, commonly used for building structures.
  • Example: "The house was built with red bricks."
• An inoperable electronic device: Informally describes a device that has been rendered unusable due to damage, often from software malfunction.
  • Example: "The software update bricked her phone."
• A dependable person: Informally, particularly in British English, refers to someone who is solid and reliable.
  • Example: "He’s been a real brick through tough times."

Verb

• To render a device inoperable: Informally describes the process of causing a device to become unusable, typically due to malfunction or misconfiguration.
  • Example: "The system update accidentally bricked the laptop."