Lewis & Short

prae-rumpo, rūpi, ruptum, 3, v. a.,

  1. I. to break or tear off before or in front (class.): retinacula classis, Ov. M. 14, 547: funes praerumpebantur, were broken off, Caes. B. G. 3, 14: uncus praerumpitur, Col. 3, 18, 2.
  2. II. Trop., to wrench, tear to pieces (late Lat.): purgativa medicamina praerumpunt corpora, Cael. Aur. Acut. 2, 21, 128.
    Hence, prae-ruptus, a, um, P. a., broken or torn off; hence, of places, steep, abrupt, rugged (syn.: abscisus, abruptus).
    1. A. Lit.: saxa, Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 56, § 145: loca, Caes. B. G. 7, 86: praeruptum atque asperum jugum, id. B. C. 2, 24: praeruptum undique oppidum, Hirt. B. G. 8, 40: praeruptus et difficilis descensus, id. ib.: nemus, Hor. S. 2, 6, 91: mons, Verg. A. 1, 105: rupes, Suet. Tib. 40: fossae, Tac. H. 2, 41.
      Absol.: praerupta, ōrum, n., steep or rugged places: praerupta collium, Just. 41, 1, 11: petere, Plin. 8, 42, 64, § 156.
      In sing.: ad praeruptum petrae, Vulg. 2 Par. 25, 12.
      Comp.: praeruptior collis, Col. 3, 13.
      Sup.: omnes oppidi partes praeruptissimis saxis munitae, Hirt. B. G. 8, 33.
    2. B. Trop., hasty, rash, precipitate (post-Aug.).
      1. 1. Of persons: juvenis animo praeruptus, Tac. A. 16, 7.
      2. 2. Of things: praerupta audacia, tanta temeritas ut non procul abhorreat ab insaniā, Cic. Rosc. Am. 24, 68: dominatio, hard, stern, Tac. A. 5, 3: praeruptum atque anceps periculum, critical, extreme, Vell. 2, 2, 3: seditio, dangerous, Dig. 28, 3, 6.
        Hence, praerūpium, ii, n. [prae-rupes], the rocky wall, line, or wall of rocks (late Lat.): fluminis, App. Mag. 8, p. 278 med. (dub.; al. praeripia, q. v.); Serv. Verg. A. 6, 704; sing., Tert. adv. Marc. 4, 38.