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brute definition

brute (bro̵̅o̅t)

adjective

  1. lacking the ability to reason a brute beast
  2. having no consciousness or feelings; insensate the brute force of nature
  3. of or like an animal; specif., brutal, cruel, gross, sensual, stupid, etc.

Etymology: ME & OFr brut < L brutus, heavy, dull, irrational, via Osco-Umb < IE base *gwer-, heavy > Gr barys, L gravis

noun

  1. an animal
  2. a person who is brutal or very stupid, gross, sensual, etc.

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

brute Synonyms

brute

n.

  1. An animal

    mammal, beast, creature; see animal 2, monster 1.

  2. A person lacking human feelings

    degenerate, monster, barbarian, lout; see beast 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

brute Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • hulk: I mean, that what hulking brutes are for aint they?

Adjective modifier

  • poor: Then the poor brute within gave vent to a series of short, sharp cries.

Modifies a noun

  • beast: And so they are brute beasts who are driven by passion.

Modifying Another Word

  • not: The antidote to black magic is not brute materialism or worldly wisdom.

Noun used with modifier

  • low-tech: I've said repeatedly that terrorists are by definition low-tech brutes.

Preposition: of

  • man: A giant brute of a man had escorted him home.
brute usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

brute quotes

I never saw a brute I hated so; He must be wicked to deserve such pain.

-Browning, Robert

Et tu, Brute? You too, Brutus?

-Caesar, Irving

I am monarch of all I survey, My right there is none to dispute; From the centre all round to the sea, I am lord of the fowl and the brute. O Solitude! where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face? Better dwell in the midst of alarms, Than reign in this horrible place.

-Cowper,William

brute quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"brute." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/brute>

APA Style

brute. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/brute

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