brute

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a cruelly rapacious person
  2. noun a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
  3. adjective resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility

Etymology

From Middle French brut, from Old French brut, from Latin brūtus (“dull, stupid, insensible”), an Oscan loanword, from Proto-Indo-European *gʷréh₂us (“heavy”). Cognate with Ancient Greek βαρύς (barús), Persian گران (gerân) and Sanskrit गुरु (gurú) (English guru).

In classic literature

Synonyms

beast, wolf, savage, wildcat

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