| 释义 |
abruptness|əˈbrʌptnɪs|
[f. abrupt a. + -ness.]
The state or quality of being abrupt. Hence,
1. Suddenness, unexpectedness of action.
1603B. Jonson Pt. of King's Entert'mt. Wks. 1846, 533 Pardon, if my abruptnesse breed disease. 1751Johnson Rambler No. 139 ⁋7 The beginning [of Samson Agonistes] is undoubtedly beautiful and proper, opening with a graceful abruptness. 1838Dickens Nich. Nick. (C.D. ed.) xxii. 176 Nicholas could not refrain from smiling at the abruptness of the question.
2. The presence of sudden breaks; the roughness or interruption thereby caused; esp. ruggedness in literary style or social manner.
1642Howell For. Trav. (1869) §12. 58 Some other languages..as having no abruptnesse of Consonants, have some advantage of the English. 1695Woodward Nat. Hist. iv. 173 Crystallized Bodies found in the perpendicular Intervalls have always..Abruptness at the end of the Body whereby it adhered to the Stone..which Abruptness is caused by its being broke off from it. 1772J. Warton Ess. on Pope i. 10 Pope lengthened the abruptness of Waller, and at the same time contracted the exuberance of Dryden. Ibid. ii. 27 The abruptness and brevity of the sentences are much in character. 1865Mrs. Whitney Gayworthys (1879) xxiii. 214 Full of little merry sarcasms and abruptnesses. 1874Athenæum May 2, A certain abruptness in his manner, and..scant appreciation of her society, at once repel her and pique her curiosity.
3. Precipitousness, ruggedness, steepness.
1620Howell Lett. (1650) I. 38 I had much ado to reach hither; for besides the monstruous abruptness of the way, these parts of the Pyreneys..are never without thieves. 1876Page Adv. Text-Book Geol. ii. 40 Breadth or abruptness of its valleys. |
