Abreast
[ə'brest] or [ə'brɛst]
Definition
(adj.) being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge; 'kept abreast of the latest developments'; 'constant revision keeps the book au courant'; 'always au fait on the latest events'; 'up on the news' .
(adv.) alongside each other, facing in the same direction.
Editor: Ozzie--From WordNet
Definition
(adv.) Side by side, with breasts in a line; as, "Two men could hardly walk abreast."
(adv.) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam; -- with of.
(adv.) Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science.
(adv.) At the same time; simultaneously.
Checked by Bryant
Synonyms and Synonymous
ad. [1]. Alongside, side by side.[2]. Against, off, on a line with, opposite to.
Edited by Antony
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Beside, alongside
ANT:Ahead, astern
Typed by Jerry
Definition
adv. with fronts in a line: side by side: (naut.) opposite to.
Typed by Cecil
Examples
- He got all those pebbles on the sea shore, abreast the ship, but professes to have gathered them from one of our party. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- Mentally he was in a provincial future, that is, he was in many points abreast with the central town thinkers of his date. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- The horsemen abreast of that cart, frequently point out one man in it with their swords. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The neighbouring streets being narrow and ill-paved, it is a little inconvenient to walk there two abreast and arm in arm. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Soon these were up abreast of Geary, and the whole command pushed up the hill, driving the enemy in advance. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- There is a guard of sundry horsemen riding abreast of the tumbrils, and faces are often turned up to some of them, and they are asked some question. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Capacities bud and bloom irregularly; there is no even four-abreast development. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- She was then just abreast of the rotted bride-cake. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- The three armies were abreast, all ready to start promptly on time. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Sometimes the way so widened that she and her father could ride abreast. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- It was very narrow--so narrow that only two could walk abreast without falling into the ditch which ran along each side. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Along this latter road they walked, the three gentlemen abreast, and Gurt, considerably bewildered, rolling behind in his nautical way. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
Typed by Cecil