Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BRUNT, n. [Dan. brynde, and brunst, ardor, ardency, burning heat. It is the Dutch brand, fire, flame, ardor, from the common root of burn, brennan, brand. This shows the radical sense of burn. See Burn.]

1. The heat, or utmost violence of an onset; the strength or violence of any contention; as, the brunt of a battle.
2. The force of a blow; violence; shock of any kind. – Hudibras.
3. A sudden effort. – Bp. Hall.