abreast
UK[əˈbrest]US[əˈbrest]
adv
side by side and facing the same way
adv
up to date with the latest news, ideas, or information
Morpheme Breakdown
a
breast
a
on, in, at
breast
chest, front
Etymology
the word 'abreast' is a compound formed in middle english from the preposition 'a-' (meaning 'on') and the noun 'breast'. the literal sense was 'with breasts in line', describing people or things positioned side-by-side. this spatial meaning evolved from the physical alignment of chests to the more general concept of being side by side. the figurative sense of keeping 'abreast of' developments, meaning to stay level with or up-to-date, logically extends from this idea of maintaining an equal position alongside new information.
Analysis
Structure: a + breast
a- (from middle english, a preposition meaning 'on, in, at'); breast (from old english 'brēost', meaning 'chest, front')
Examples
the soldiers marched three abreast down the narrow street.
it is difficult to keep abreast of all the changes in technology.
the cyclists rode abreast, chatting as they went.