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brute

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A brute is defined as a savage, insensitive or uncivilized person.

(noun)

A person who is unkind and cruel is an example of a brute.

The definition of brute is something animal-like or someone who does not have the ability to reason.

(adjective)

An example of brute used as an adjective is brute strength, which is extreme, physical strength.

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See brute in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

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

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

noun

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

See brute in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An animal; a beast.
A brutal, crude, or insensitive person.

adjective

Of or relating to beasts; animal: “None of the brute creation requires more than food and shelter” (Henry David Thoreau).
Characteristic of a brute, especially:
a. Entirely physical: brute force.
b. Lacking or showing a lack of reason or intelligence: a brute impulse.
c. Savage; cruel: brute coercion.
d. Unremittingly severe: was driven to steal food through brute necessity.
Coarse; brutish.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English, nonhuman

Origin: , from Old French brut

Origin: , from Latin brūtus, stupid; see g^werə-¹ in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

brutˈism noun

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