Abrupt Definition
ə-brŭpt
adjective
abrupter, abruptest
Unexpectedly sudden.
An abrupt change in the weather.
American Heritage
Coming, happening, or ending suddenly; sudden; unexpected.
Webster's New World
Surprisingly curt; brusque.
An abrupt answer made in anger.
American Heritage
Curt or gruff in behavior or speech; brusque.
Webster's New World
Touching on one subject after another with sudden transitions.
Abrupt prose.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- bluntish
- unsharp
- unedged
- blunt-edged
- dullish
- dull-pointed
- dull-edged
- blunt-pointed
- blunt-ended
- disconnected
- precipitous
- sharp
- swift
- steep
- staccato
verb
(archaic) To tear off or asunder. [First attested in the mid 17th century.]
Wiktionary
To interrupt suddenly. [First attested in the mid 17th century.]
Wiktionary
noun
(poetic) Something which is abrupt; an abyss. [First attested in the mid 17th century.]
Wiktionary
Origin of Abrupt
-
First attested in 1583. From Latin abruptus (“broken off”), perfect passive participle of abrumpō (“break off”), formed from ab (“from, away from”) + rumpō (“to break”).
From Wiktionary
-
Latin abruptus past participle of abrumpere to break off ab- away ab–1 rumpere to break reup- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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