BREEZE  . (I) A current of

air generally taken as somewhat less than a " wind," which in turn is less than a " gale." The term is particularly applied to the light wind blowing landwards by day, " sea-breeze," and the counter wind, blowing off the land at night, " land-breeze." The word appears in Fr. brise (admitted by the Academy in 1762) . The Span. brisa, Port. briza, and Ital. brezza are used for a wind blowing from the north or north-east . According to Cotgrave, Rabelais uses brize in the sense of bise, the name of a dry north or north-east wind prevalent in Switzerland and the bordering parts of France, Italy and Germany . The word is first used in English as applied to the cool sea-breeze blowing usually from the east or north-east in the West Indies and Atlantic sea-coast of Central America . It was then applied to sea-breezes from any quarter, and also to the land-breeze, and so to any light wind or current of air . (2) Fine ashes or cinders, the refuse of coal, coke and charcoal burning . This is probably from the O . Fr. brese, modern braise, a word connected with braser, whence Eng. brazier, a pan for burning coals, charcoal, &c .