brain
brain
(brān) noun
1.
a. The portion of the vertebrate 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. b. A functionally similar portion of the invertebrate nervous system.
2. a. Intellectual ability; mind: a dull brain; a quick brain. b. Often brains Intellectual power; intelligence: brains and good looks. See synonyms at mind.
3. A highly intelligent person.
4. Often brains The primary director or planner, as of an organization or movement.
5. The control center, as of a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft.
verb
, transitive
brained, braining, brains
Slang.
1.
To smash in the skull of.
2.
To hit on the head.
idiom.
beat (one's) brains (out)
Informal. To exert or expend great mental effort: She beat her brains out during the examination.
on the brain
Obsessively in mind: The coach has winning on the brain.
pick (someone's) brain or pick (someone's) brains
To explore another's ideas through questioning.
rack (one's) brain Informal
To think long and hard: I racked my brain for hours trying to recall her name.
[Middle English, from Old English
brægen.]