View synonyms for brute

brute

[ broot ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a nonhuman creature; beast.
a brutal, insensitive, or crude person.
the animal qualities, desires, etc., of humankind:
Father felt that rough games brought out the brute in us.

adjective

animal; not human.
not characterized by intelligence or reason; irrational.
characteristic of animals; of brutal character or quality.
savage; cruel:
brute force.
carnal; sensual.

brute

[ broot ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, brut·ed, brut·ing.

to shape (a diamond) by rubbing with another diamond or a diamond chip.

brute

/ bruːt /

noun

1. any animal except man; beast; lower animal
2. ( as modifier )
  brute nature
a brutal person

adjective

wholly instinctive or physical (esp in the phrases brute strength, brute force )
without reason or intelligence
coarse and grossly sensual

Discover More

Other Words From

brutelike adjective
brutely adverb
bruteness noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of brute¹

First recorded in 1425–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin brūtus “heavy, devoid of feeling, irrational”

Origin of brute²

First recorded in 1900–05; back formation from bruting “rough hewing (of a diamond),” partial translation of French brutage literally, “a roughing,” equivalent to brut “rough, raw” + -age; brute ¹, -age

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of brute¹

C15: from Latin brūtus heavy, irrational; related to gravis heavy

Discover More

Synonym Study

See animal.

Browse