(v. a.P. a.) : prae-rumpo, rūpi, ruptum, 3, v. a.
* 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.
* 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).
* 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.
* Trop., hasty, rash, precipitate (post-Aug.).
* Of persons: juvenis animo praeruptus,Tac. A. 16, 7.
* 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.

s. TLL