a. Also 5–6 brutisshe, -ysshe, 7–8 bruitish. [f. BRUTE + -ISH.]
1. Of or pertaining to the brutes, or lower animals, as opposed to man.
1534. More, Wks., 402/1 (R.). A beaste, out of whose brutishe beastely mouthe, cometh suche a fylthye fome of blasphemyes againste Christes holy ceremonies and blessed sacramentes.
1596. Spenser, Astrophel, 98. There his welwoven toyles … He laid the brutish nation to enwrap.
1614. T. Adams, in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., lxvi. 13. The Lord takes not delight in the blood of brutish creatures.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 481. Wandring Gods disguis’d in brutish forms Rather then human.
1878. Browning, La Saisiaz, 35. Without the want, Life, now human, would be brutish.
2. Pertaining to, resembling, or characteristic of the brutes:
a. in want of intelligence or in failure to use reason: dull, irrational, uncultured, stupid.
1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind. (Arb.), 50. Slowe and brutysshe wyttes.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 114. As the Opinion is brutish, so the Consequences are devilish.
1728. Morgan, Algiers, I. i. 8. No People in the Universe, how savage and brutish soever they be, want a sufficient share of Reason.
1866. Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. xxix. 693. He is … dull and brutish, reckless and supine.
b. in want of control over the appetites and passions: passionate, sensual, furious.
1567. Triall Treas. (1850), 27. You bridled that brutishe beaste Inclination.
1615. R. C., Times’ Whis., v. 1651. I now am come to brutish gluttonie.
1663. Cowley, Verses & Ess. (1669), 70. It is only a Demonstration of Brutish Madness or Diabolical Possession.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 45, ¶ 3. The Servant of his brutish Lusts and Appetites.
1731. Swift, Strephon & Chloe, Misc. V. 36. How could a Nymph so chaste as Chloe … Permit a brutish Man to touch her?
1869. J. Martineau, Ess., II. 213. He scolds at [it] as a propensity absolutely brutish.
† 3. Rough, rude; savage, brutal. ? Obs.
1494. Fabyan, V. cxl. 127. To oppresse in partye theyr brutisshe blastis, I wyll bryng in here ye sayinge of Guydo.
1599. Greene, Alphons., III. Therefore, fair maid, bridle these brutish thoughts.
1645. King’s Cabinet opened, in Select. Harl. Misc. (1793), 343. The rebels new brutish general hath refused to meddle with foreign passes.
1726. Cavallier, Mem., I. 42. The Count Brollio is … fierce, haughty, cruel and brutish; having no Manner of Politeness.
1773. Burke, Let., Wks. IX. 135. We shall sink into surly, brutish Johns.
† 4. = BRUTE a. 3. Of thunder: striking blindly, random. [after L. brutum fulmen.] Obs.
1586. C. Fetherstone (title), The British Thunderbolt: or rather Feeble Fier-Flash of Pope Sixtus the fift, against Henrie king of Navarre.
1640. G. Sandys, Christ’s Passion, 29 (L.). Vainly we thy brutish Thunder fear. Ibid., Notes, 100. The Philosophers will have two sorts of Lightning … the other Brutish, that is, accidentall, and flying at random.
1877. R. Ellis, Catullus, lxiv. 164. Yet to the brutish winds why moan I longer unheeded?
5. quasi-adv.
1647. W. Browne, Polexander, I. 202. Bruitish bred men.
