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abrupt (adj.)

1580s, "sudden, unceremonious, without notice," a figurative use from Latin abruptus "broken off," also "precipitous, steep" (as a cliff), also "disconnected," past participle of abrumpere "break off," from ab "off, away from" (see ab-) + rumpere "to break," from a nasalized form of the PIE root *runp- "to snatch" (see corrupt (adj.)). The literal sense "broken off or appearing as if broken off" is from c. 1600 in English. Of writing, "having sudden transitions, lacking continuity," 1630s. Related: Abruptly; abruptness.

Origin and meaning of abrupt

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Definitions of abrupt from WordNet

abrupt (adj.)
marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions;
abrupt prose
Synonyms: disconnected
abrupt (adj.)
exceedingly sudden and unexpected;
an abrupt change in the weather
came to an abrupt stop
abrupt (adj.)
extremely steep;
an abrupt canyon
Synonyms: precipitous / sharp
abrupt (adj.)
surprisingly and unceremoniously brusque in manner;
an abrupt reply
From wordnet.princeton.edu