They built a fire of brushwood. From Wordnet, Princeton University.
Now, metaphorically speaking, a brush may be taken as a miniature wood; the common use of the term brushwood is a proof of the general acceptance of the metaphor. From Wordnik.com. [Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore] Reference
The brushwood is a mixture of twigs and sticks that the men have collected over the course of days, sleeping rough at night. From Wordnik.com. [Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty] Reference
Not a tree is to be seen except the low brushwood which is scantily distributed upon its surface. From Wordnik.com. [Eight Years' Wanderings in Ceylon] Reference
Original had "brush-wood"; changed to "brushwood" to be consistent with other occurrences in the text. From Wordnik.com. [Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819-20-21-22, Volume 2] Reference
Rocks, brushwood, uncultivated spaces, surround us on all sides. From Wordnik.com. [The French Immortals Series — Complete] Reference
The miner seen in the background of brushwood digs the pay-gravel. From Wordnik.com. [The Shirley Letters from California Mines in 1851-52] Reference
Fort Stephenson was built on the edge of a deep ravine filled with brushwood. From Wordnik.com. [Tecumseh A Chronicle of the Last Great Leader of His People; Vol. 17 of Chronicles of Canada] Reference
Windows belonged to it, and a door, and a garden enclosed by a brushwood fence. From Wordnik.com. [An Australian Lassie] Reference
But no welcome sound came to tell that poor Frisky was hiding in the brushwood. From Wordnik.com. [The Bobbsey Twins in the Country] Reference
Seth's heavy boots, where they entered the dense mass of brushwood below the pine-trees. From Wordnik.com. [Picked up at Sea The Gold Miners of Minturne Creek] Reference
They had been lying in wait for him, well hidden among the screening trees and brushwood. From Wordnik.com. [Kiddie the Scout] Reference
The clearing was dotted by charred and blackened stumps, and covered with piles of brushwood. From Wordnik.com. [Woman on the American Frontier] Reference
The bottom was of brushwood and earth -- some people in the South Fork valley say hay and sand. From Wordnik.com. [The Johnstown Horror!!! or, Valley of Death, being A Complete and Thrilling Account of the Awful Floods and Their Appalling Ruin] Reference
A sudden burst of daylight; he was cutting the brushwood away to investigate as far as he could before descending. From Wordnik.com. [Yr Ynys Unyg The Lonely Island] Reference
A moment after he reappeared, bringing in his arms brushwood, and also a travelling-rug which his servant had brought him. From Wordnik.com. [The French Immortals Series — Complete] Reference
There was some brushwood at the top, and two or three old weather-beaten palm trees, these afforded us most welcome shelter. From Wordnik.com. [Yr Ynys Unyg The Lonely Island] Reference
"Look out, Mollie!" she added suddenly, indicating a big pile of brushwood that jutted out almost into the center of the road. From Wordnik.com. [The Outdoor Girls at Wild Rose Lodge Or, the hermit of Moonlight falls] Reference
A rustle in the brushwood snaps my attention back to the yard and I catch Ben's shadow ebbing the same direction as the mallards. From Wordnik.com. [Talking To Flowers] Reference
Without saying anything to Claudet, therefore, he waited until the huntsmen had scattered in the brushwood, and then, diving into. From Wordnik.com. [The French Immortals Series — Complete] Reference
Hearing a noise amongst the brushwood at the top of the cavern, we found out in a minute, one or all of the pirates were up there. From Wordnik.com. [Yr Ynys Unyg The Lonely Island] Reference
By degrees, toward the left, the brushwood became less dense, and several gray buildings appeared scattered over the glistening prairie. From Wordnik.com. [The French Immortals Series — Complete] Reference
Wherever its light touched the brushwood, the frosty leaves quivered like diamonds, while a milky cloud enveloped the parts left in shadow. From Wordnik.com. [The French Immortals Series — Complete] Reference
The captain then cut away great square plots of brushwood as best he could, to prevent much harm accruing in case they tried their brands again. From Wordnik.com. [Yr Ynys Unyg The Lonely Island] Reference
The purely personal authority of parents, masters and institutions is to the child like the brushwood beneath which the young plant withers and dies. From Wordnik.com. [The Simple Life] Reference
Quick as lightning, as soon as the wounded stag had jumped out from amidst the brushwood the dog leaped after him, and, in a few strides, was at his quarters. From Wordnik.com. [Picked up at Sea The Gold Miners of Minturne Creek] Reference
Irresolute he paused, little liking the sequestered gulch for a resting-place; divining the prickly thicket and almost impenetrable brushwood that lined the road. From Wordnik.com. [Under the Rose] Reference
We had long ceased to need the Cartref Pellenig entrance, letting everything down by the aperture above, where the rock and brushwood would tell no tales of our footsteps. From Wordnik.com. [Yr Ynys Unyg The Lonely Island] Reference
We heard the axe cutting away the brushwood, which fell in the cavern amongst us, and fancied faces were peeping down upon us, to see what had occurred to their companion. From Wordnik.com. [Yr Ynys Unyg The Lonely Island] Reference
A casual passer-by would never have noticed the low built pigsty that butted on to the hedge, its roof and sides being almost completely masked with brushwood and bramble vine. From Wordnik.com. [Men of Affairs] Reference
LearnThatWord and the Open Dictionary of English are programs by LearnThat Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Questions? Feedback? We want to hear from you!
Email us
or click here for instant support.
Copyright © 2005 and after - LearnThat Foundation. Patents pending.