brick English · revision 6640

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=1416|origins=dum bricke}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbɹɪk/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English bryke, probably [[bor|dum|bricke|t=tile, brick]] or Middle Low German bricke,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) brought by Flemish workmen, who were associated with early brickmaking,^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) and probably reinforced by [[m|fro|brique|t=a form of loaf]].^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)^(Cresswell 2021) The ultimate origin is unknown;^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021) Etymonline and MWU connect it with the root of [[break]], “a piece broken off”.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ 1416, as bryke, in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) about 1440 in the OED, of the material.^(OED 1989) [[bricklayer|alt=Bricklayer]] is from 1443.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A single block of the material is from about 1525.^(OED 1989) A brick-shaped loaf is from 1735, and any brick-shaped block, such as of tea, from 1827.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) A good, honest fellow is a brick from 1840, probably from the idea of squareness.^(Etymonline) ''Like a ton of bricks'' is from 1929, earlier ''like a thousand of bricks'' (1836).^(Etymonline) ''To drop a brick'', to make a tactless remark, is from 1923.^(OED 1989) A brick wall as an impenetrable barrier is from 1886.^(Etymonline) The verb, to wall up with bricks, is from 1648.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1416 – bryke.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1443 – bricklayer.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1648 – the verb.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1735 – a brick-shaped loaf.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1840 – a good fellow.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1923 – drop a brick.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A rectangular block of baked or sun-dried [[clay]], used in building.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Such blocks as a building material.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something shaped like a brick: ''a brick of ice cream''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal, dated)'' A reliable, generous person.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To build, line or close up with bricks.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bricky]]

+ * [[bricklike]]

+ * [[brick-and-mortar]]

+ * [[brickbat]]

+ * [[brickfield]]

+ * [[brickkiln]]

+ * [[bricklayer]]

+ * [[bricklaying]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[break]]

+ * [[brickwork]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}