- Today's Word
Brusque
BRUSK (or BROOSK)
Definition
- (adjective) Abrupt or blunt in manner or speech, often to the point of being perceived as rude or curt.
Example
The manager’s brusque response to the employee’s question left everyone feeling uneasy about raising further concerns.
Fun Fact
“Brusque” comes from the Italian word brusco, meaning “sharp” or “tart,” which traces back to the Latin bruscum, referring to a coarse shrub used for making brooms. The term initially described rough or coarse textures before evolving to describe a person’s demeanor. Its nuanced history reflects how physical descriptors often transition into metaphors for behavior, making it a vivid way to capture someone’s lack of refinement in communication.
(adjective) Unwilling to spend money or use resources; extremely frugal to the point of stinginess.
He was so parsimonious that he kept the thermostat at 58 degrees all winter and wore two sweaters instead.