3 entries under this word

Abrupt

Ab-rŭpt′, a.

adjective

a. [Lat. abruptus, p. p. of abrumpere, to break off, fr. ab and rumpere, to break; Fr. abrupt.]

  1. Broken, steep, craggy, as rocks, precipices, and the like; precipitous. “Tumbling through rocks abrupt.” Thomson.
  2. Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden. “Your abrupt departure.” Shak.
  3. Having sudden transitions from one subject to another; unconnected.

The abrupt style, which hath many breaches. B. Johnson. 4. (Bot.) Suddenly terminating. Gray. Syn.—Sudden; unexpected; hasty; rough; blunt; disconnected; broken.

Ab-rŭpt’, n.

noun

n. [Lat. abruptum.] An abrupt place. [Rare.] “Over the vast abrupt.” Milton.

Ab-rūpt', v. t.

verbtransitive

To tear off or asunder. [Obs.] “Till death abrupts them.” Browne.