I.to break or tear off before or in front (class.): “retinacula classis,” Ov. M. 14, 547: “funes praerumpebantur,” were broken off, Caes. B. G. 3, 14: “uncus praerumpitur,” Col. 3, 18, 2. —
II. Trop., to wrench, tear to pieces (late Lat.): “purgativa medicamina praerumpunt corpora,” Cael. Aur. Acut. 2, 21, 128.—Hence, prae-ruptus , a, um, P. a., broken or torn off; hence, of places, steep, abrupt, rugged (syn.: abscisus, abruptus).
A. Lit.: “saxa,” Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 56, § 145: “loca,” Caes. B. G. 7, 86: “praeruptum atque asperum jugum,” id. B. C. 2, 24: “praeruptum undique oppidum,” Hirt. B. G. 8, 40: “praeruptus et difficilis descensus,” id. ib.: “nemus,” Hor. S. 2, 6, 91: “mons,” Verg. A. 1, 105: “rupes,” Suet. Tib. 40: “fossae,” Tac. H. 2, 41.—Absol.: praerupta , ōrum, n., steep or rugged places: “praerupta collium,” Just. 41, 1, 11: “petere,” Plin. 8, 42, 64, § 156.—In sing.: “ad praeruptum petrae,” Vulg. 2 Par. 25, 12.—Comp.: “praeruptior collis,” Col. 3, 13.—Sup.: “omnes oppidi partes praeruptissimis saxis munitae,” Hirt. B. G. 8, 33.—
B. Trop., hasty, rash, precipitate (post-Aug.).
1. Of persons: “juvenis animo praeruptus,” Tac. A. 16, 7.—
2. Of things: “praerupta audacia, tanta temeritas ut non procul abhorreat ab insaniā,” Cic. Rosc. Am. 24, 68: “dominatio,” hard, stern, Tac. A. 5, 3: “praeruptum atque anceps periculum,” critical, extreme, Vell. 2, 2, 3: “seditio,” dangerous, Dig. 28, 3, 6.—Hence, praerūpium , ii, n. prae - rupes, the rocky wall, line, or wall of rocks (late Lat.): “fluminis,” App. Mag. 8, p. 278 med. (dub.; al. praeripia, q. v.); Serv. Verg. A. 6, 704; sing., Tert. adv. Marc. 4, 38.
