Obs. [Prob. so called because worn in the army of the Elector of Brandenburg, afterwards king of Prussia; cf. Fr. brandebourg, ‘boutonnière avec ornement’ (Boiste).] pl. The ornamental facings to the breast of an officer’s coat.

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1753.  Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. VII. xcii. 422. [The Prussian King] in his regimentals, which are a blue cloth frock with silver brandenburgs.

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a. 1771.  Smollett, Humph. Cl. (1815), 225. He wore a coat … trimmed with Brandenburgs, now totally deprived of their metal.

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