different between abreast vs abeam

English

Etymology

From Middle English abrest, equivalent to a- (“on, at”) +? breast, meaning “breasts (chests) in line, side-by-side and exactly equally advanced”; roughly “breast-by-breast”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??b??st/
• Rhymes: -?st
• Hyphenation: abreast

Adverb

abreast (not comparable)

1. Side by side and facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)]
2. (figuratively) Alongside; parallel to. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]
3. Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]
4. Followed by of or with: up to a certain level or line; equally advanced. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]

   She believes it is important to keep abreast of new scientific developments.

5. (nautical) Side by side; also, opposite; on a line with the vessel's beam. [First attested in the late 17^th century.]
6. (obsolete) At the same time; simultaneously.

Usage notes

• (nautical): Abreast is followed by the word of.
• (alongside): Abreast is followed by of.
• (informed): Abreast is followed by of.
• (up to a certain level): Abreast is followed by of.

Synonyms

• (informed): apprised, up to date/up-to-date

Translations

Adjective

abreast (not comparable)

1. Side by side, facing forward. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470.)]
2. (figuratively) Alongside; parallel to. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]
3. Informed, well-informed, familiar, acquainted. [First attested in the mid 17^th century.]
4. Up to a certain level or line; equally advanced[First attested in the mid 17^th century.]

   to keep abreast of [or with] the present state of science.

   • c. 1900, Kate Chopin, A Reflection

     Some people are born with a vital and responsive energy. It not only enables them to keep abreast of the times; it qualifies them to furnish in their own personality a good bit of the motive power to the mad pace.

5. (nautical) Side by side; also, opposite; over against; on a line with the vessel's beam. [First attested in the late 17^th century.]

Preposition

abreast

1. Abreast of; alongside.

   This ship sank abreast the island.

References

• abreast at OneLook Dictionary Search
• abreast in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• Baaster, Sabater, Tabares, abaters, bat ears, rabates

English

Etymology

a- (“in the direction of”) +? beam (“keel”)

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?.?bi?m/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?.?bim/
• Rhymes: -i?m

Adverb

abeam (comparative more abeam, superlative most abeam)

1. (nautical, aircraft) On the beam; at a right angle to the centerline or keel of a vessel or aircraft; being at a bearing approximately 090 Degrees or 270 Degrees relative. [Mid 19^th century.]
2. (nautical, aircraft) Alongside or abreast; opposite the center of the side of the ship or aircraft. [Mid 19^th century.]

Translations

Adjective

abeam (comparative more abeam, superlative most abeam)

1. (nautical, aircraft) Alongside or abreast; opposite the center of the side of the ship or aircraft. [Mid 19^th century.]

   The island was directly abeam of us.

Preposition

abeam

1. (nautical) Alongside. [Mid 19^th century.]

   She came abeam the crippled ship.

References

Anagrams

• Ambae, ameba

Latin

Verb

abeam

1. first-person singular present active subjunctive of abe?