And although he affected brusqueness he was known as the Crocodile: somnolent until provoked he admired Kennan and respected his intellect.

NEWYORKER: Getting Real

These advisers will want to bring a businesslike brusqueness to tackling the territory's problems, but few have experience in government.

ECONOMIST: Next steps in Hong Kong

He may also regard with satisfaction the affront he has caused to France's banking elite, whose sensibilities he offended with tactical bursts of Flemish brusqueness.

ECONOMIST: Cr��dit Lyonnais

You don't expect the doctor to cure you at once, but the doctor can surely alienate you at once, with brusqueness or bravado or indifference or confusion.

WSJ: Word Craft: Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd on Good Prose