brute (brot)

and n. [= F. brut, fem. brute, = Sp. Pg. It. bru to, Not walking statues of clay, not the sons of brute earth. Bentley. 2. Wanting reason; animal; not human: as, a brute beast. A creature... not prone And brute as other creatures, but endued With sanctity of reason. Milton, P. L., vii. 507. 701 Brutes may be considered as either aërial, terrestrial, aquatic, or amphibious. Locke. 2. A brutal person; a savage in disposition or manners; a low-bred, unfeeling person. An ill-natured brute of a husband. Franklin.