n.
  - a small rectangular block of fired or sun-dried clay, used in building. 
▸bricks collectively as a building material.
 - Brit. informal, dated a generous, helpful, and reliable person.
 
v.
 block or enclose with a wall of bricks.
 
  Phrase
  
    - bricks and mortar
  - buildings, especially housing.
 - 
[as modifier]
 denoting a business that operates conventionally rather than (or as well as) via the Internet.
 
  - like a ton of bricks
 informal with crushing weight, force, or authority. 
   
  Etymology
  ME: from Mid. Low Ger., MDu. bricke, brike; prob. reinforced by OFr. brique; of unknown ultimate origin.