English

Alternative forms

• abrest

Adverb

abreast ‎(comparative more abreast, superlative most abreast)

1. Side by side and facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)]^[2]
   • 2012 July 15, Richard Williams, “Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track”, in Guardian Unlimited:

     On Sunday afternoon it was as dark as night, with barely room for two riders abreast on a gradient that touches 20%.

   • (Can we date this quote?), Thomas Babington Macaulay, (Please provide the title of the work):

     Two men could hardly walk abreast.

2. (figuratively) Alongside; parallel to. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]^[2]
3. Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]^[2]
4. Followed by of or with: up to a certain level or line; equally advanced. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]^[2]

   She believes it is important to keep abreast of new scientific developments.

5. (nautical) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam. [First attested in the late 17^th century.]^[2]
6. (obsolete) At the same time; simultaneously.
   • (Can we date this quote?), Thomas Fuller, (Please provide the title of the work):

     Abreast therewith began a convocation.

Usage notes

• (nautical): Abreast is followed by the word of.
• (alongside): Abreast is followed by with or of.
• (informed): Abreast is followed by with or of.
• (up to a certain level): Abreast is followed by with or of.

Synonyms

• (informed): apprised, up to date/up-to-date

Translations

Adjective

abreast ‎(comparative more abreast, superlative most abreast)

1. Side by side, facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)]^[2]
2. (figuratively) Alongside; parallel to. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]^[2]
3. Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]^[2]
4. Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced; as, to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]^[2]
5. (nautical) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam. [First attested in the late 17^th century.]^[2]

Preposition

abreast

1. Abreast of; alongside.^[3]

   This ship sank abreast the island.

References

1. ↑ “abreast” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary (2001).
2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 8
3. ↑ Philip Babcock Gove (editor), Webster's Third International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged (G. & C. Merriam Co., 1976 [1909], ISBN 0-87779-101-5), page 5

Anagrams

• abaters