Brunt
/brʌnt/noun
The main force or impact of an attack, criticism, or hardship.
Did you know?Brunt likely began as an Old English/Old Norse word meaning a fiery or sudden blow, which is why it still carries that sense of concentrated impact today.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*brunnanan*
“to burn, blaze”
Old English
OE
brinnan
“to burn, be on fire”
Old Norse
ON
brinna
“to burn”
Middle English
ME
brunt
“a sudden violent blow or onset”
Modern English
English
brunt
“the main force or impact of something unpleasant”