Abreast
side by side; beside each other in a line:
They walked two abreast down the street.
equal to or alongside in progress, attainment, or awareness (usually followed by of or with):
to keep abreast of scientific developments; keeping abreast with the times.
Contemporary Examples
Curious housewives stepped out in their aprons to watch them march down the road, four abreast waving two large American flags.
The GOP’s Last Identity Crisis Remade U.S. Politics Michael Wolraich July 23, 2014
We will keep you abreast of these developments and let you know once the RSS feed is live.
Note to Readers David Frum January 17, 2012
Paramilitary troops in grey urban camouflage moved into the square, five abreast, forcing demonstrators into side-streets.
As Putin Wins Re-Election by Landslide, Both Sides Reluctantly Rally Owen Matthews, Anna Nemtsova March 4, 2012
Social media has kept me abreast of many plot twists and turns as firestorms of outrage and smugness come and go.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat Steven Isaac June 2, 2014
Drivers were jostling three abreast on the tight oval track, and then a couple of cars collided.
IndyCar Driver’s Final Moments Allen St. John October 17, 2011
Historical Examples
They were all dressed in blue blouses, and were marching four abreast just as the cavalry do.
The Ranche on the Oxhide Henry Inman
By degrees they let the boat drop back till her bow was abreast of the ladder.
Fair Margaret H. Rider Haggard
After this he did not go ahead of Breault, but kept behind him or abreast of him, within sound of the dipping pole.
The Country Beyond James Oliver Curwood
They were then just abreast of the park of Montivilliers, and there they witnessed a most horrible sight.
The Downfall Emile Zola
The 27th we were a little past Calicut, abreast of Paniany, our lat.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume IX. Robert Kerr
adjective (postpositive)
alongside each other and facing in the same direction
foll by of or with. up to date (with); fully conversant (with)
adv.
mid-15c., on brest, from a- (1) + breast (n.); the notion is of “with breasts in line.” To keep abreast in figurative sense of “stay up-to-date” is from 1650s.
Read Also:
- Abreast of
side by side; beside each other in a line: They walked two abreast down the street. equal to or alongside in progress, attainment, or awareness (usually followed by of or with): to keep abreast of scientific developments; keeping abreast with the times. adjective (postpositive) alongside each other and facing in the same direction foll by […]
- Abreast with
side by side; beside each other in a line: They walked two abreast down the street. equal to or alongside in progress, attainment, or awareness (usually followed by of or with): to keep abreast of scientific developments; keeping abreast with the times. adjective (postpositive) alongside each other and facing in the same direction foll by […]
- Abri
a shelter, especially a dugout. Archaeology. a rock shelter formed by the overhang of a cliff and often containing prehistoric occupation deposits. Historical Examples abri la boca para decir algo en consonancia con tan maravilloso pensamiento; pero slo exhal un suspiro. Doa Perfecta Benito Prez Galds The charcoal calcined by this abri, has been found […]
- Abridge
to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents: to abridge a reference book. to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge a visit; to abridge one’s freedom. to deprive; cut off. Contemporary Examples At the right time and in the right dose, it can ease and abridge economic maladies. […]
- Abridged
to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents: to abridge a reference book. to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge a visit; to abridge one’s freedom. to deprive; cut off. Contemporary Examples Undaunted, Jason translated that himself too — which he then abridged. The Voice of Proust David […]