brass-works
Definition
- Noun (plural in form but singular or plural in construction):
- A factory where brass items are made: "brass-works" refers to an industrial facility or workshop where brass is cast, shaped, or fabricated into various products, such as fittings, ornaments, or machinery parts.
- A foundry for brass: Specifically, a place where brass is melted and poured into molds to create solid objects.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The old brass-works in the town produced intricate doorknobs and hinges. (A factory that manufactured brass items.)
- He worked at the brass-works for thirty years, operating the furnaces. (A foundry or industrial site dedicated to brass production.)
Advanced Usage
"to operate a brass-works": to manage or run a brass foundry.
- The family has operated the brass-works since the 19th century. (They have been in charge of the brass manufacturing facility.)
"brass-works district": an area in a city where brass factories are concentrated.
- The brass-works district was known for its smoky chimneys and clanging hammers. (A neighborhood dominated by brass foundries.)
Variants and Related Words
Brass (n): a yellow alloy of copper and zinc.
- The candlestick is made of polished brass. (The metal used in the works.)
Works (n): a factory or industrial site (often used in compounds like "ironworks" or "steelworks").
- The works closed down after the war. (The industrial facility shut down.)
Synonyms
- Brass foundry: a place where brass is cast.
- Brass mill: a factory that processes brass into sheets, rods, or other forms.
- Metalworks: a broader term for any factory that works with metal.
Related Idioms