Definition of abrupt

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< abrogate

abruption >

a·brupt    (-brpt) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Unexpectedly sudden: an abrupt change in the weather.
2. Surprisingly curt; brusque: an abrupt answer made in anger.
3. Touching on one subject after another with sudden transitions: abrupt prose.
4. Steeply inclined. See Synonyms at steep¹.
5. Botany Terminating suddenly rather than gradually; truncate: an abrupt leaf.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Latin abruptus, past participle of abrumpere, to break off : ab-, away ; see ab-¹ + rumpere, to break; see reup- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
a·bruptly(Adverb), a·bruptness(Noun)