abrupt

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions
  2. adjective exceedingly sudden and unexpected
  3. adjective extremely steep

Etymology

First attested in 1583. Borrowed from Latin abruptus (“broken off”), perfect passive participle of abrumpō (“break off”), formed from ab (“from, away from”) + rumpō (“to break”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

disconnected

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