break1
v.
(past broke; past part. broken)
- separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain.
▸(of waves) curl over and dissolve into foam.
▸(of the amniotic fluid surrounding a fetus) be discharged when the sac is ruptured in the first stages of labour.
- make or become inoperative.
- interrupt (a continuity, sequence, or journey).
▸stop so as to have a rest or holiday:
they broke for coffee.
▸lessen the impact of (a fall).
▸disconnect or interrupt (an electric circuit).
- fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement).
- crush the strength, spirit, or resistance of.
- surpass (a record).
- (of an attacking player or a military force) make a rush or dash:
Mitchell broke quickly, allowing Hughes to score.
- (of the weather) change suddenly, especially after a fine spell.
▸(of a storm) begin violently.
▸(of dawn or a day) begin as the sun rises.
- (of a person's voice) falter and change tone.
▸(of a boy's voice) change in tone and register at puberty.
- (of news) suddenly become public.
▸
(break something to)
make bad news known to.
- succeed in deciphering (a code).
- use (a banknote) to pay for something and receive change.
- (of two boxers or wrestlers) come out of a clinch.
- make the first stroke at the beginning of a game of billiards, pool, or snooker.
- unfurl (a flag or sail).
- Phonetics (of a vowel) develop into a diphthong, under the influence of an adjacent sound.
n.
- an interruption or pause:
a break with the past.
▸Brit. an interval during the school day.
▸a short holiday.
▸a change of line, paragraph, or page:
a page break.
- a rush or dash, especially by an attacking player or team.
- informal an opportunity or chance.
- a gap or opening:
a break in the hedge.
- an instance of breaking, or the point where something is broken.
-
(also break of serve or service break)
Tennis the winning of a game against an opponent's serve.
- Snooker & Billiards a consecutive series of successful shots.
▸a player's turn to make the opening shot of a game.
- a short solo or instrumental passage in jazz or popular music.
Phrase
- break one's back
(or neck)
put great effort into achieving something. - break the back of
accomplish the main or hardest part of (a task). - break even
reach a point in a business when profits are equal to costs. - breaking and entering
(in North American, and formerly also British, law) the crime of entering a building by force to commit burglary. - break a leg!
theatrical slang good luck! - break of day
dawn. - break someone's serve
win a game in a tennis match against an opponent's service. - break ship
Nautical fail to rejoin one's ship after absence on leave. - break wind
release gas from the anus. - give someone a break
informal stop putting pressure on someone. - make a clean break
remove oneself completely from a situation.
Phrase verbal
- break away
escape from the control or influence of a person or practice. - break down
- cease to function or continue; fail.
- lose control of one's emotions when in distress.
- break in
- force entry to a building.
- interject.
- break something in
- accustom a horse to being ridden.
- wear shoes until they become supple and comfortable.
- break into
- enter forcibly.
- suddenly burst into (laughter, song, or faster movement).
- break something off
abruptly end or discontinue something. - break out
- (of something undesirable) start suddenly.
- escape.
- break out in
be suddenly affected by an unpleasant sensation or condition. - break something out
informal open and start using something. - break up
- (of a gathering or relationship) end or part company.
▸chiefly Brit. end the school term.
- (of a radio or telephone signal) be interrupted by interference.
- chiefly N. Amer. start laughing uncontrollably.
- chiefly N. Amer. become upset.
- break with
- quarrel or cease relations with.
- act in a way that is not in accordance with (a custom or tradition).
Derivative
- breakable adj. & n.
- breakage n.
Etymology
OE brecan (v.), of Gmc origin.
break2
n.
- former term for breaking cart.
- historical another term for brake2.
Etymology
C19: perh. from C16 brake ‘cage’, later ‘framework’.