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bruit

Archaic Terms
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A rumor, report, or piece of news spread widely; as a verb, to spread news abroad or make something publicly known, often through gossip.

Detailed Definition
“Bruit” functions as both noun and verb for circulating news, often ominous. In chronicle poetry or drama, it signals impending change—war, scandal, or death. Its archaic form lends gravity to gossip, transforming idle talk into historical force. Poets use it to explore how truth distorts in transmission, aligning with themes of reputation, fate, or public perception in political verse.
Example
Example in poetry:
"The bruit of war spread through the land," in a chronicle poem; In Spenser: "The bruit went forth that Arthur came"; "No bruit of her passing reached the court," a line of mystery; Shakespeare uses "bruit" in King Lear to mean rumor; "The bruit of his shame flew on raven’s wings"; Let no bruit disturb the peace of this glade.
Additional Notes
“Bruit” (pronounced “broot”) functions as both noun (rumor) and verb (to spread); in historical or courtly poetry, it underscores the power of gossip or prophecy, often preceding scandal or revelation, and carries an air of ominous inevitability.
Also Known As
rumor report noise
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