English

Noun

brains

1. plural of brain
2. (plural only) The substance of a brain as a material or foodstuff.

   Of course he's a zombie. He's shuffling his feet around, moaning ‘Braaains’, and drooling down his shirt.

   • Shakespeare, Macbeth:

     I would, while it was smiling in my face,

     Have pluck'd my nipple from his boneless gums,

     And dash'd the brains out, had I so sworn as you

     Have done to this.

3. (plural only, informal) The figurative substance of a brain: mental ability, intelligence.

   Sadly, I got my brains from my mom and my looks from the mailman.

4. (plural only, informal, with 'the') The intelligent person or people in a group: the director, planner, administrator, &c.

   Who's the brains behind this operation?

   • 1990, House of Cards, Season 1, Episode 1:

     I mean, it's a bit of a waste of money paying me eighteen grand to run errands, isn't it? Come on. I'm supposed to be the brains of this outfit.

Translations

Anagrams

• bairns