brains

• IPA^(key): /bɹeɪnz/

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -eɪnz

brains

1. plural of brain

brains pl (plural only)

1. The substance of a brain, as a material or foodstuff.
   • c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):

     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.

2. (informal) The figurative substance of a brain: mental ability, intelligence.

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

3. (informal, with "the") The intelligent person or people in a group: the director, planner, administrator, etc.

   Who's the brains behind this operation?

   • 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 103:

     Paulvitch smiled. “You are supposed to be the brains of this partnership, my dear Nikolas,” he replied. “Why do you not find the means to search Monsieur Caldwell’s stateroom—eh?”

   • 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.

• blow someone's brains out
• fuck someone's brains out
• hump someone's brains out

• (intelligent person; director, planner, administrator): mastermind

brains

1. third-person singular simple present indicative of brain

• risban, Rabins, abrins, bairns, brians