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Abreast

//əˈbɹɛst// adj, adv, prep

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Side by side, facing forward. not-comparable
  2. 2
    Alongside; parallel to. figuratively, not-comparable
  3. 3
    Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. not-comparable
  4. 4
    Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced not-comparable

    "to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science"

  5. 5
    Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam. not-comparable
Adjective
  1. 1
    being up to particular standard or level especially in being up to date in knowledge wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    Side by side and facing forward. not-comparable

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

  2. 2
    Alongside; parallel to. figuratively, not-comparable
  3. 3
    Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. not-comparable
  4. 4
    Followed by of or with: up to a certain level or line; equally advanced. not-comparable

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

  5. 5
    Breast high (of an advancing wave). Scotland, not-comparable

    "The west wind blew a tempest, and, according to the common expression, brought in the water [of the Solway] three foot abreast."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    Side by side; also, opposite; on a line with the vessel's beam. not-comparable
  2. 7
    At the same time; simultaneously. not-comparable, obsolete

    "Abreast therewith began a convocation."

Adverb
  1. 1
    alongside each other, facing in the same direction wordnet
Preposition
  1. 1
    Abreast of; alongside.

    "This ship sank abreast the island."

Etymology

Etymology 1

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”.

Etymology 2

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”.

Etymology 3

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”.

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