Abrupt

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /əˈbɹʌpt/, /æˈbɹʌpt/

Origin

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").

SOED5|page=8

MW3 1976|page=6

Full definition of abrupt

Adjective

1. (obsolete, rare) Broken away (from restraint). Attested only in the late 16th century.

1. Without notice to prepare the mind for the event; sudden; hasty; unceremonious. First attested in the late 16th century.The party came to an abrupt end when the parents of our host arrived.
• unknown date William Shakespeare, Henry VI Part I, II-iiiThe cause of your abrupt departure.
2. Curt in manner; brusque; rude; uncivil; impolite. First attested in the late 16th century.
3. Having sudden transitions from one subject or state to another; unconnected; disjointed. First attested in the late 16th century.
• unknown date Ben Jonson
4. The abrupt style, which hath many breaches.
5. (obsolete) Broken off. Attested from the early 17th century until the mid 18th century.
6. Extremely steep or craggy as if broken up; precipitous. First attested in the early 17th century.
• unknown date ThomsonTumbling through ricks abrupt.
7. (botany) Suddenly terminating, as if cut off; truncate. First attested in the early 19th century.

Synonyms

• (precipitous) broken, rough, rugged
• (without time to prepare) brusque, sudden
• (uncivil)blunt, brusque
• (without transition) disconnected, unexpected

Verb

1. (transitive, archaic) To tear off or asunder. First attested in the mid 17th century.
• unknown date Sir T. BrowneTill death abrupts them.
2. To interrupt suddenly. First attested in the mid 17th century.

Noun

1. (poetic) Something which is abrupt; an abyss. First attested in the mid 17th century.
• unknown date MiltonOver the vast abrupt.