brisk

views updated May 17 2018

brisk / brisk/ • adj. active, fast, and energetic: a good brisk walk business appeared to be brisk. ∎  (of the weather or wind) cold but fresh and enlivening. ∎  sharp or abrupt: the brisk, dismissive nod of her head.DERIVATIVES: brisk·ly adv.brisk·ness n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

brisk

views updated May 29 2018

brisk †smart, spruce XVI; quick and active; sharp (in various senses) XVI. prob. — F. brusque BRUSQUE, but the connection of sense is not clear.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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