brusque also brusk (brŭsk) adj. Abrupt and curt in manner or speech; discourteously blunt. See Synonyms at gruff. [French, lively, fierce, from Italian brusco, coarse, rough, from Late Latin brūscum, perhaps blend of Latin rūscus, butcher's broom, and Late Latin brūcus, heather; see briar1.] brusque'ly adv., brusque'ness n. |