adjective
brusque
BRUSK/brʌsk/
Abrupt and blunt in manner or speech.
His brusque reply leaves no room for further questions.
Etymology
Italian brusco meant sharp, tart, or rough. Applied to someone’s manner or speech, that roughness becomes abruptness and a lack of conversational gentleness.
In context
county official holding the inquiry, having finished writing down the replies to his questions upon blue foolscap, looked across to the row of twelve tradesmen, and exclaimed in his sharp, brusque manner----
More examples
- The receptionist sounded brusque but answered accurately.
- She apologized for her brusque manner during the emergency.
- A brusque wave of his hand dismissed the suggestion.
Forms
brusque · brusquer · brusquest
brusquely adverb — In an abrupt and blunt manner.
Similar words
- curt
- Similarly brief and unfriendly, often especially in speech.