abrupt
UK[əˈbrʌpt]US[əˈbrʌpt]
adj
sudden and unexpected, often in an unpleasant way
adj
(of speech or writing) using very few words and sounding rude
Morpheme Breakdown
ab
rupt
ab
away
rupt
break
Etymology
the word abrupt originates from the latin abruptus, the past participle of abrumpere, meaning "to break off." this is a compound of the prefix ab- ("away, off") and the verb rumpere ("to break"). the literal sense of "broken off" evolved in english to describe anything that is sudden, disconnected, or steep, as if a smooth continuity had been violently severed. this semantic shift from a physical break to a metaphorical one explains its modern meanings of suddenness and a terseness that cuts off further communication.
Analysis
Structure: ab (away) + rupt (break)
ab- (latin prefix, meaning "away, off"); rupt (from latin ruptus, past participle of rumpere, meaning "to break")
Examples
the car came to an abrupt halt when it hit the wall.
his abrupt manner sometimes offends people.
the path ended in an abrupt drop down to the sea.