Etymology From Middle English bryngen, from Old English bringan, from Proto-West Germanic *bringan, from Proto-Germanic *bringaną (“to bring”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰrenk-, possibly based on *bʰer-. Compare Scots bring, West Frisian bringe, Low German brengen, Dutch brengen, Afrikaans bring, German bringen; also Welsh hebrwng (“to bring, lead”), Tocharian B pränk- (“to take away; restrain oneself, hold back”), Latvian brankti (“lying close”), Lithuanian branktas (“whiffletree”).
Ne take noon hede to brynge togidere þe parties of þe boon þat is to-broken or dislocate, til viij. daies ben goon in þe wyntir, & v. in þe somer; for þanne it schal make quytture, and be sikir from swellynge; & þanne brynge togidere þe brynkis eiþer þe disiuncture after þe techynge þat schal be seid in þe chapitle of algebra.a1420, The British Museum Additional MS, 12,056, “Wounds complicated by the Dislocation of a Bone”, in Robert von Fleischhacker, editor, Lanfranc's "Science of cirurgie.", London: K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co, translation of original by Lanfranc of Milan, published 1894, →ISBN, page 63:
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At twilight in the summer[…]the mice come out. They[…]eat the luncheon crumbs. Mr. Checkly, for instance, always brought his dinner in a paper parcel in his coat-tail pocket, and ate it when so disposed, sprinkling crumbs lavishly[…]on the floor.1892, Walter Besant, chapter II, in The Ivory Gate […], New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers, […], →OCLC:
A waiter brought his aperitif, which was a small scotch and soda, and as he sipped it gratefully he sighed. ¶ ‘Civilized,’ he said to Mr. Campion. ‘Humanizing.’[…]‘Cigars and summer days and women in big hats with swansdown face-powder, that's what it reminds me of.’1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 5, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
Next month, Clemons will be brought before a court presided over by a "special master", who will review the case one last time.2012 August 21, Ed Pilkington, “Death penalty on trial: should Reggie Clemons live or die?”, in The Guardian:
The new company director brought a fresh perspective on sales and marketing.
“[…]it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves.”1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
3
To occasion or bring about.
Let's bring our differences to an issue.
The controversial TV broadcast brought a storm of complaints.
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Seeing her brought the memories flooding back and tears to my eyes.
4
To raise (a lawsuit, charges, etc.) against somebody.
It has jailed environmental activists and is planning to limit the power of judicial oversight by handing a state-approved body a monopoly over bringing environmental lawsuits.2013 August 10, “Can China clean up fast enough?”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:
5
To persuade; to induce; to draw; to lead; to guide.
It seems so preposterous a thing[…]that they do not easily bring themselves to it.1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], chapter 2, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC, book I, page 11:
6
To produce in exchange; to sell for; to fetch.
What does coal bring per ton?
7
Ball games, Baseball, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports To pitch, often referring to a particularly hard thrown fastball.
The closer Jones can really bring it.
8
Board games, Chess, Games To move a piece into a more active position, esp. to initially develop it.
You want to bring the rook and then start pushing your pawns.
Having a telephone was a novelty; the cat certainly thought so as Charlie would yowl every time it rang, just in case the “bring bring” sound was not sufficient enough to bring to your attention that someone was attempting to contact you telephonically.2011, Angela Russell, “Keeping House”, in Thatcher’s Children: An Account of Growing Up and Surviving in the 1980s, [Tyneside]: Grimalhame Press, →ISBN, chapter 2 (Staying In), page 28:
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A shrill bring bring sounded down the hall. The doorbell? Nope, the phone. I hesitated, drawn by the bath’s enticing promise. Bring bring. Let the phone ring.2011, Cate Lord, chapter 7, in Lucky Girl, Fort Collins, Colo.: Entangled Publishing, →ISBN, page 76:
I get up from the bed and walk to the wardrobe and all the while the phone keeps on ringing. It’s one of the basic ringtones that you get on every mobile, a bring-bring sound.2011 February, Jim Carrington, “Ash”, in In the Bag, London: Bloomsbury Publishing, →ISBN, pages 83–84:
A gentle bring-bring sounded with interruption. A phone on a side table next to Victor Zarruq.2023, J. A. Bouma, chapter 9, in End of Days (Order of Thaddeus; 13), Grand Rapids, Mich.: EmmausWay Press, →ISBN: