Brute (brṳt), a. [F. brut, nasc., brute, fem., raw, rough, rude, brutish, L. brutus stupid, irrational: cf. It. & Sp. bruto.] 1. Not having sensation; senseless; inanimate; unconscious; without intelligence or volition; as, the brute earth; the brute powers of nature.
2. Not possessing reason, irrational; unthinking; as, a brute beast; the brute creation.
A creature... not prone
And brute as other creatures, but endued
With sanctity of reason.
Milton.
3. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of, a brute beast. Hence: Brutal; cruel; fierce; ferocious; savage; pitiless; as, brute violence. Macaulay.
The influence of capital and mere brute labor.
Playfair.
4. Having the physical powers predominating over the mental; coarse; unpolished; unintelligent.
A great brute farmer from Liddesdale.
Sir W. Scott.
5. Rough; uncivilized; unfeeling.