abreast
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English abrest, equivalent to a- (“on, at”) + breast, meaning “breasts (chests) in line, side-by-side and exactly equally advanced”;[1] roughly “breast-by-breast”.
Pronunciation edit
Adverb edit
abreast (not comparable)
- Side by side and facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)][2]
- 2012 July 15, Richard Williams, “Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track”, in Guardian Unlimited[1]:
- On Sunday afternoon it was as dark as night, with barely room for two riders abreast on a gradient that touches 20%.
- 1859, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second:
- The only path was narrow and rugged: two men could hardly walk abreast;
- (figurative) Alongside; parallel to. [First attested in the mid 17th century.][2]
- Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. [First attested in the mid 17th century.][2]
- Followed by of or with: up to a certain level or line; equally advanced. [First attested in the mid 17th century.][2]
- She believes it is important to keep abreast of new scientific developments.
- (Scotland) Breast high (of an advancing wave).
- The west wind blew a tempest, and, according to the common expression, brought in the water [of the Solway] three foot abreast.
- (nautical) Side by side; also, opposite; on a line with the vessel's beam. [First attested in the late 17th century.][2]
- (obsolete) At the same time; simultaneously.
- 1842, Thomas Fuller, The Church History of Britain, From the birth of Jesus Christ until the year MDCXLVIII., 3rd edition, volume 1, page 412:
- Abreast therewith began a convocation.
Usage notes edit
- (nautical): Abreast is followed by the word of.
- (alongside): Abreast is followed by of.
- (informed): Abreast is followed by of.
- (up to a certain level): Abreast is followed by of.
Synonyms edit
- (informed): apprised, informed, up to date, up-to-date
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
side by side
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informed
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nautical: side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam
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up to a certain level or line
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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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Adjective edit
abreast (not comparable)
- Side by side, facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)][2]
- (figurative) Alongside; parallel to. [First attested in the mid 17th century.][2]
- Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. [First attested in the mid 17th century.][2]
- Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced[First attested in the mid 17th century.][2]
- to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science.
- c. 1900, Kate Chopin, A Reflection:
- Some people are born with a vital and responsive energy. It not only enables them to keep abreast of the times; it qualifies them to furnish in their own personality a good bit of the motive power to the mad pace.
- (nautical) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam. [First attested in the late 17th century.][2]
Preposition edit
abreast
- Abreast of; alongside.[3]
- This ship sank abreast the island.
References edit
- “abreast”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
- “abreast”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- “abreast, adv.” in the Dictionary of the Scots Language, Edinburgh: Scottish Language Dictionaries.
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “abreast”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief, William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “abreast”, in The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 8.
- ^ Philip Babcock Gove (editor), Webster's Third International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged (G. & C. Merriam Co., 1976 [1909], →ISBN), page 5