brisk
/brɪsk/
adjective
Origin
Old French
brusque — lively, sharp, or sudden
Overview
Meaning Now
- Full of active, quick, and energetic movement or spirit.
- Cold, fresh, and invigorating (of air or weather).
Language path
Old French → Middle French → English
Earliest form
brusk
Earliest period
late 16th century
Journey
The term entered English during a period of heavy borrowing from French, originally capturing the sense of sudden energy. It later split in meaning to describe both human temperament and atmospheric conditions.
Evolution
- 16th century Old French
brusque
“fierce, rough, or lively”
- late 16th century English
brusk
“quick, spirited, active”
Spelling modification influenced by English phonology
- 17th century English
brisk
“energetic, sharp, stimulating”
Connections
Word parts
brisk
root
energetic or sharp
Related across languages
French
brusque
abrupt or blunt
Italian
brusco
sharp or tart
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Related to brisk
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.