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’.