English Explanatory Dictionary

abrupt

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Broken away (from restraint).
  2. Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious.
  3. Curt in manner.
  4. Having sudden transitions from one subject or state to another; unconnected; disjointed.
  5. Broken off.
  6. Extremely steep or craggy as if broken up; precipitous.
  7. Suddenly terminating, as if cut off; truncate.
verb
  1. To tear off or asunder.
  2. To interrupt suddenly.
noun
  1. Something which is abrupt; an abyss.

Pronunciation

/əˈbɹʌpt/ /æbˈɹʌpt/ En-us-abrupt.ogg

Word forms

abrupt more abrupt abrupter most abrupt abruptest abrupts abrupting abrupted

Etymology

First attested in 1583. Borrowed from Latin abruptus (“broken off”), perfect passive participle of abrumpō (“break off”), formed from ab (“from, away from”) + rumpō (“to break”).

Synonyms

sudden disconnected unexpected brusque rude uncivil impolite terse brisk blunt broken rough rugged

Derived words

abrupt appearance abrupt appearance theory abruptic abruption abruptly abruptness nonabrupt theory of abrupt appearance unabrupt abruptedly
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