abreast
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L334204 on Wikidata ↗adverb
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L44378 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /əˈbɹɛst/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English abrest. By surface analysis, a- (“on, at”) + breast, meaning “breasts (chests) in line, side-by-side and exactly equally advanced”; roughly “breast-by-breast”.
- Side by side, facing forward.
- Alongside; parallel to.
- Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted.
- Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced
“to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science”
“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.”
- Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam.
“For quotations using this term, see Citations:abreast.”
adv
Etymology: From Middle English abrest. By surface analysis, a- (“on, at”) + breast, meaning “breasts (chests) in line, side-by-side and exactly equally advanced”; roughly “breast-by-breast”.
- Side by side and facing forward.
“On Sunday afternoon it was as dark as night, with barely room for two riders abreast on a gradient that touches 20%.”
“The only path was narrow and rugged: two men could hardly walk abreast;”
- Alongside; parallel to.
- Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted.
- Followed by of or with: up to a certain level or line; equally advanced.
“She believes it is important to keep abreast of new scientific developments.”
- 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.”
- Side by side; also, opposite; on a line with the vessel's beam.
- At the same time; simultaneously.
“Abreast therewith began a convocation.”
prep
Etymology: From Middle English abrest. By surface analysis, a- (“on, at”) + breast, meaning “breasts (chests) in line, side-by-side and exactly equally advanced”; roughly “breast-by-breast”.
- Abreast of; alongside.
“This ship sank abreast the island.”