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Bricked: meaning, definitions and examples

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bricked

 

[ brɪkt ]

Verb / Adjective
Context #1 | Verb

technology failure

To brick something, especially a device, means to render it completely inoperable or nonfunctional, much like a brick. This commonly occurs with electronic devices such as smartphones or computers when a software update fails, or the device is improperly modified. Once a device is bricked, it often cannot be repaired by the user without professional help. The term is metaphorically derived from the idea that the device is as useful as a brick.

Synonyms

disable, render useless

Examples of usage

  • My phone got bricked after the update.
  • He accidentally bricked his gaming console.
  • The laptop was bricked due to a failed installation.
  • After the firmware was installed incorrectly, the tablet was bricked.
Context #2 | Adjective

physical state

Describing something as bricked can refer to its physical state, meaning it is composed of or resembles bricks. This term is often used in construction to signify a structure that is made of bricks or brick-like materials. In a broader context, it can describe anything that visually resembles bricks in color or texture.

Synonyms

composed, constructed

Examples of usage

  • The house was bricked and easily identifiable.
  • He bought a bricked wall for his garden.
  • The building's exterior is bricked.
  • The path was made of bricked tiles.

Translations

Translations of the word "bricked" in other languages:

🇵🇹 bloqueado

🇮🇳 ईंटों से भरा हुआ

🇩🇪 verblüht

🇮🇩 diblokir

🇺🇦 заблокований

🇵🇱 zablokowany

🇯🇵 ブロックされた

🇫🇷 briqué

🇪🇸 bloqueado

🇹🇷 duvar haline getirilmiş

🇰🇷 차단된

🇸🇦 محجوز

🇨🇿 zablokovaný

🇸🇰 zablokovaný

🇨🇳 砖砌的

🇸🇮 zaklenjen

🇮🇸 múruð

🇰🇿 блокталған

🇬🇪 ბლოკირებული

🇦🇿 bloklanmış

🇲🇽 bloqueado

Etymology

The term 'brick' comes from the Old French word 'brique', denoting a building material made of clay. The use of 'bricked' as a verb is a modern adaptation seen primarily in technology and electronics. As devices became more reliant on complex software systems, the risk of rendering them inoperable increased, leading to the metaphorical use of the term. The concept of ‘bricking’ a device emerged in the late 1990s, coinciding with the rise of personal computing and mobile technology. The transition from a physical application of the word to a digital context exemplifies the adaptability of language in response to changing technology and cultural practices.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,702 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.