Rude, a.

(32), a. [compar. RUDER; superl. RUDEST.] [Fr., Pr., Pg., & It. rude, It. also rozzo, Sp. rudo, Lat. rudis.] Characterized by roughness; unpolished; raw; lacking delicacy or refinement; coarse. “Such tools as art yet rude had formed.” Milton. “Rude work well suited with a rustic mind.” Dryden. Hence, specifically, (a.) Unformed by taste or skill; not nicely finished; not smoothed or polished;—said especially of material things; as, rude workmanship. “Rude and unpolished stones.” Stillingfleet. “All meanly wrapped in the rude manger lies.” Milton. (b.) Of coarse, untaught manners; unpolished; uncivil; clownish; ignorant; raw;—said of persons, or of conduct, skill, and the like. “He was but rude in the profession of arms.” Wotton. “The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.” Gray. (c.) Violent; tumultuous; boisterous; inclement; harsh; severe;—said of the weather, of storms, and the like; as, the rude winter. “Clouds pushed with winds rude in their shock.” Milton. “The rude agitation [of water] breaks it into foam.” Boyle. (d.) Barbarous; fierce; bloody;—said of war, conflict, and the like; as, the rude shock of armies. (e.) Not finished or complete; inelegant; lacking chasteness or elegance; not in good taste; unsatisfactory in mode of treatment;—said of literature, language, style, and the like. “Any of the rude Irish books.” Spenser. “Unblemished by my rude translation.” Dryden.

“Rude am I in my speech.” Shak.

Synonyms—Impertinent; rough; uneven; shapeless; unfashioned; rugged; artless; unpolished; uncouth; inelegant; rustic; coarse; vulgar; clownish; raw; unskillful; untaught; illiterate; ignorant; uncivil; impolite; saucy; impudent; insolent; surly; currish; churlish; brutal; uncivilized; barbarous; savage; violent; fierce; tumultuous; turbulent; impetuous; boisterous; harsh; inclement; severe. See IMPERTINENT.