Abrupt
[ə'brʌpt]
Definition
(adj.) surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner; 'an abrupt reply' .
(adj.) exceedingly sudden and unexpected; 'came to an abrupt stop'; 'an abrupt change in the weather' .
(adj.) extremely steep; 'an abrupt canyon'; 'the precipitous rapids of the upper river'; 'the precipitous hills of Chinese paintings'; 'a sharp drop' .
(adj.) marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions; 'abrupt prose' .
Typed by Lesley--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Broken off; very steep, or craggy, as rocks, precipices, banks; precipitous; steep; as, abrupt places.
(a.) Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious.
(a.) Having sudden transitions from one subject to another; unconnected.
(a.) Suddenly terminating, as if cut off.
(n.) An abrupt place.
(v. t.) To tear off or asunder.
Inputed by Frieda
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. [1]. Broken, cragged, craggy, rough, rugged.[2]. Steep, precipitous.[3]. Sudden, unexpected, unanticipated, precipitate, hasty, unseasonable, ill-timed, unlooked for.[4]. Short, blunt, unceremonious, curt.[5]. Inelegant (as style), stiff, cramped, harsh, disconnected, unconnected.
Edited by Bridget
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Sudden, steep, precipitous, craggy, coarse, curt, blunt, violent, harsh,unceremonious, rugged, rough
ANT:Undulating, easy, gliding, polished, smooth, blending, courteous
Checker: Prudence
Definition
adj. the opposite of gradual as if broken off: sudden: unexpected: precipitous: (of style) passing from one thought to another without transitions: (of manners) short rude.—n. an abrupt place.—n. Abrup′tion a sudden breaking off: violent separation: (Shak.) interruption pause.—adv. Abrupt′ly.—n. Abrupt′ness.
Edited by Lancelot
Unserious Contents or Definition
adj. Sudden without ceremony like the arrival of a cannon- shot and the departure of the soldier whose interests are most affected by it. Dr. Samuel Johnson beautifully said of another author's ideas that they were 'concatenated without abruption. '
Editor: Zeke
Examples
- To avoid being too abrupt, I then spoke of the Aged and of Miss Skiffins. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Barclay's remarks were subdued and abrupt, so that none of them were audible to the listeners. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- The same principles are followed by horticulturists; but the variations are here often more abrupt. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- She had reached a point where abrupt retrenchment was necessary, and the only cheap life was a dull life. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Her efforts in this line, however, were brought to an abrupt close by an untoward accident, which quenched her ardor. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- If you will forgive this liberty,--my rough ways,--too abrupt, I fear--but I will be more gentle next time. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- This was a sore trouble to me, adding, as I then thought, one more instance of the abrupt appearance of a great group of species. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- He was one of those surgeons whom it is dangerous to vex--abrupt in his best moods, in his worst savage. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- They were within twenty yards of each other, and so abrupt was his appearance, that it was impossible to avoid his sight. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- He was totally unaffected by the abrupt change in pressure, although the deepest he had ever been was ninety feet, and on that occasion he had suffered from bleeding at the nose and ears. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- There is everything to be done, said Lydgate, with abrupt energy. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- My aunt had written her one of the odd, abrupt notes--very little longer than a Bank note--to which her epistolary efforts were usually limited. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- He never went on with any subject, but gave little, short, abrupt answers. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- We both bounced into the parlour in a highly abrupt and undignified manner. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Ere I could answer, Fifine Beck burst in, rosy and abrupt, calling out that I was wanted. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- I have been too abrupt in communicating the news; it has excited you beyond your strength. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- His manner--at least his manner towards me--is much more abrupt than it used to be. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Mr. Martin is now awkward and abrupt; what will he be at Mr. Weston's time of life? Jane Austen. Emma.
- At length, in an abrupt manner she asked, Where is he? Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- It cannot be denied that such abrupt and great changes of structure are widely different from those which most species apparently have undergone. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- There was something so very abrupt and unsettled in Mr. Winkle's manner, that Mr. Pickwick involuntarily looked at his two friends for an explanation. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I think so: he is very changeful and abrupt. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- He has a good warm heart under his bluff abrupt ways. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- According to our experience, abrupt and strongly marked variations occur in our domesticated productions, singly and at rather long intervals of time. Charles Darwin. On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection.
- In answer to this question, which was oddly abrupt, I said I liked her very much and thought she was more agreeable than she used to be. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- This abrupt change was occasioned by her father's face. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- His words were quite abrupt and awkward; but the tone made them sound like an ardent, appealing avowal. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- She was edified at the complete though abrupt diversion of his homage from herself to the heiress. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I immediately began to discuss the merits and demerits of Frederick with my usual and abrupt frankness. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Her manner was short and abrupt, yet faltering and timid. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
Editor: Zeke