brain storm

See also: brain-storm and brainstorm

English

Etymology

brain +‎ storm. In the sense of "seizure, convulsion, brain activity", from the idea that it is like a storm in the brain. In the sense of "problem-solving idea or session", from the unrelated idea of using the "brain to storm a problem" (see brainstorm).

Noun

brain storm (plural brain storms)

1. A seizure, convulsion, or similar incident of abnormal brain activity.
   • 1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 76:

     He was so puffing and fuming that he had to pull up for breath, and take his hat off to ease the smoking hot pressure of a brainstorm.

   • 2008, Shiloh Walker, Through the Veil, →ISBN:

     The most honored one has had a brain storm — minor, but there was a second one past midnight.

   • 2012, Bonaventure Balla, Symbolism, Synesthesia, and Semiotics, Multidisciplinary Approach, →ISBN:

     Such communication is normally regulated by an appropriate amount of electricity but when the amount is very high (rate of 500 times per second), this results in a brain storm known as epilepsy.

   • 2015, Tony Bertauski, Ashes of Foreverland: A Science Fiction Thriller:

     To expand his mind would exhaust what little strength he still had and ignite the brain storm that had finally passed.

2. Alternative form of brainstorm (“sudden thought which solves a problem; brainstorming session”)
   • 2010, Earl E. Gobel, The Fall of Perdition, →ISBN, page 258:

     And where were you when Josh came up with this brain storm?

   • 2011, Richard Maples, The Scapegoat, →ISBN:

     That was when I had it--a virtual brain storm. This whole episode, I could see, was a perfect answer.

   • 2012, Lucas Reijnders, nvironmentally Improved Production Processes and Products, →ISBN:

     In such a brain storm creativity may be stimulated by for instance looking at nature, products of competitors, alternative materials or delivery systems [36], or by focusing on improvement strategies outlined from section 3.2 onwards.

   • 2014, Richenda Power, A Question of Knowledge, →ISBN:

     In choosing to begin my presentation with a sequence of diary musings, a brain storm on reasons for studying knowledge as social scientists, and a teasing out of usages of 'knowledge' from two chance newspaper extracts I deliberately intend to start building a field that is not exclusive as to academic disciplines and language.

Verb

brain storm (third-person singular simple present brain storms, present participle brain storming, simple past and past participle brain stormed)

1. Alternative form of brainstorm (“solve a problem with brainstorming”)
   • 2009, James "Butch" Rosser, Playin' to Win:

     The chancellor had recently announced a challenge to everyone at the university to brain storm and come up with cutting-edge ideas that could make the university competitive for grant dollars by submitting. . .

   • 2010, Tianamonet Tobie, Inner Impression/Outer Expression, →ISBN:

     Being open minded while receiving knowledge to help you brain storm later, is a healthy way to exercise your brain and strengthen your skills.

   • 2012, Jerome Otto Waters Jr, Capitol of Maryland, →ISBN, page 146:

     I used my spare time trying to brain storm on how I can make millions like them.