bruin

plural bruins

1. A folk name for a bear, especially the brown bear, Ursus arctos.

   The mother sought the one gone / astray, for the lost she longs: / she ran great swamps as a wolf / trod the wilds as a bruin / waters as an otter roamed […].

   1989, Elias Lönnrot, translated by Keith Bosley, The Kalevala, section XVII

1. literaryA bear character in fairy stories, etc., especially when anthropomorphised.

   When he had driven some distance he met a pedlar. "Where is the sheriff off to, to-day?" said the pedlar; "he must have a long way and little time, since he is driving so fast." But Bruin did not say a word, for he had more than enough to do to hold on.

   1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 112

plural Bruins

1. countableuncountableA surname from Dutch.
2. countableuncountableAn unincorporated community in Elliott County, Kentucky, United States.
3. countableuncountableA borough of Butler County, Pennsylvania, United States.