— bricklike, brickish , adj.
/brik/ , n.
1. a block of clay hardened by drying in the sun or burning in a kiln, and used for building, paving, etc.: traditionally, in the U.S., a rectangle 2 1 / 4 × 3 3 / 4 × 8 in. (5.7 × 9.5 × 20.3 cm), red, brown, or yellow in color.
2. such blocks collectively.
3. the material of which such blocks are made.
4. any block or bar having a similar size and shape: a gold brick; an ice-cream brick.
5. the length of a brick as a measure of thickness, as of a wall: one and a half bricks thick.
6. Informal. an admirably good or generous person.
7. drop a brick , to make a social gaffe or blunder, esp. an indiscreet remark.
8. hit the bricks ,
a. to walk the streets, esp. as an unemployed or homeless person.
b. to go on strike: With contract talks stalled, workers are threatening to hit the bricks. Also, take to the bricks .
9. make bricks without straw ,
a. to plan or act on a false premise or unrealistic basis.
b. to create something that will not last: To form governments without the consent of the people is to make bricks without straw.
c. to perform a task despite the lack of necessary materials.
v.t.
10. to pave, line, wall, fill, or build with brick.
adj.
11. made of, constructed with, or resembling bricks.
[ 1400-50; late ME brike bricke; akin to BREAK ]