From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbrusquebrusque /bruːsk, brʊsk $ brʌsk/ adjective RUDE/IMPOLITEusing very few words, in a way that seems rude SYN abrupt a brusque manner —brusquely adverb —brusqueness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
brusque• Off steps a brusque and bristling figure, carrying a kitbag and casual in a crew-neck sweater.• In public he appears brusque and dismissive, but he is in fact a very caring person.• Normally so courteous and tidy, if Loi was fishing, he became brusque and rude, oblivious to his surroundings.• He limped over to the leg-press machine, his air brusque and withdrawn.• He went out thinking that, behind all her brusque banter, she was a kindly little soul.• He had ranged ahead, limiting himself to brusque commands and a variety of signals.• It was just his usual brusque, impetuous way of speaking.• Her secretary was a little brusque on the phone.• Mathison's brusque style tends to irritate colleagues.• They are both logical and just a little brusque with me.Origin brusque (1600-1700) French Italian brusco, from Medieval Latin bruscus type of bush with sharp points 