1. break(n = noun.event) interruption - some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity; "the telephone is an annoying interruption"; "there was a break in the action when a player was hurt"
is a kind of happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent
has particulars: dislocation, disruption, punctuation, abatement, hiatus, reprieve, respite, suspension, eclipse, occultation
Derived form verb break24
2. break(n = noun.event) good luck, happy chance - an unexpected piece of good luck; "he finally got his big break"
is a kind of accident, chance event, fortuity, stroke
3. break(n = noun.object) fault, faulting, fracture, geological fault, shift - (geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other; "they built it right over a geological fault"; "he studied the faulting of the earth's crust"
is a kind of cleft, crack, crevice, fissure, scissure
has parts: fault line
has particulars: inclined fault, strike-slip fault
Derived form verb break2
4. break(n = noun.event) breach, falling out, rift, rupture, severance - a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions); "they hoped to avoid a break in relations"
is a kind of breakup, detachment, separation
has particulars: schism
Derived form verb break31
5. break(n = noun.act) recess, respite, time out - a pause from doing something (as work); "we took a 10-minute break"; "he took time out to recuperate"
is a kind of pause
has particulars: spring break
Derived form verb break47
6. break(n = noun.act) breakage, breaking - the act of breaking something; "the breakage was unavoidable"
is a kind of change of integrity
has particulars: rupture, shattering, smashing, crack, cracking, fracture, chip, chipping, splintering
Derived forms verb break2, verb break5
7. break(n = noun.time) intermission, interruption, pause, suspension - a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something;
is a kind of interval, time interval
has particulars: lapse, blackout, caesura, dead air, delay, hold, postponement, time lag, wait, halftime, relief, respite, rest, rest period, time-out, letup, lull
Derived form verb break18
8. break(n = noun.state) fracture - breaking of hard tissue such as bone; "it was a nasty fracture"; "the break seems to have been caused by a fall"
is a kind of harm, hurt, injury, trauma
has particulars: comminuted fracture, complete fracture, compound fracture, open fracture, compression fracture, depressed fracture, displaced fracture, fatigue fracture, stress fracture, capillary fracture, hairline fracture, incomplete fracture, impacted fracture, closed fracture, simple fracture
Derived forms verb break57, verb break54
9. break(n = noun.event) - the occurrence of breaking; "the break in the dam threatened the valley"
is a kind of breakup, detachment, separation
has particulars: snap
Derived form verb break2
10. break(n = noun.event) - an abrupt change in the tone or register of the voice (as at puberty or due to emotion); "then there was a break in her voice"
is a kind of alteration, change, modification
11. break(n = noun.act) - the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool;
is a kind of shot, stroke
is a part of billiards, pocket billiards, pool
Derived form verb break40
12. break(n = noun.act) break of serve - (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving; "he was up two breaks in the second set"
is a kind of score
13. break(n = noun.act) disruption, gap, interruption - an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity; "it was presented without commercial breaks"; "there was a gap in his account"
is a kind of delay, holdup
has particulars: cut-in, insert, cut-in, insert, interjection, interpellation, interpolation, interposition, abruption, breaking off, barracking, heckling
14. break(n = noun.act) - a sudden dash; "he made a break for the open door"
is a kind of dash, sprint
has particulars: fast break
15. break(n = noun.act) open frame - any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare; "the break in the eighth frame cost him the match"
is a kind of score
16. break(n = noun.act) breakout, gaolbreak, jailbreak, prison-breaking, prisonbreak - an escape from jail; "the breakout was carefully planned"
is a kind of escape, flight
Derived form verb break7
1. break(v = verb.change) interrupt - terminate; "She interrupted her pregnancy"; "break a lucky streak"; "break the cycle of poverty"
is one way to end, terminate
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
2. break(v = verb.change) come apart, fall apart, separate, split up - become separated into pieces or fragments; "The figurine broke"; "The freshly baked loaf fell apart"
is one way to change integrity
Derived forms noun break6, noun break9, noun break3, adjective breakable1
Sample sentences:
The wooden sticks break ; These glasses break easily
3. break(v = verb.change) - render inoperable or ineffective; "You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!"
is one way to damage
Derived form noun breakage3
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
4. break(v = verb.contact) bust - ruin completely; "He busted my radio!"
is one way to destroy, ruin
Antonym: repair
Derived forms adjective breakable1, noun breakage3
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
5. break(v = verb.change) - destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments; "He broke the glass plate"; "She broke the match"
is one way to divide, separate
Derived forms noun break6, adjective breakable1, noun breakage3, noun breaker1
Sample sentences:
The girls break the wooden sticks
6. break(v = verb.social) breach, go against, infract, offend, transgress, violate - act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises; "offend all laws of humanity"; "violate the basic laws or human civilization"; "break a law"; "break a promise"
is one way to disrespect
Antonym: keep
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
7. break(v = verb.motion) break away, break out - move away or escape suddenly; "The horses broke from the stable"; "Three inmates broke jail"; "Nobody can break out--this prison is high security"
is one way to break loose, escape, get away
Derived form noun break16
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s; Something is ----ing PP; Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s PP
8. break(v = verb.motion) - scatter or part; "The clouds broke after the heavy downpour"
is one way to disperse, dissipate, scatter, spread out
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
9. break(v = verb.emotion) burst, erupt - force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up; "break into tears"; "erupt in anger"
is one way to express emotion, express feelings
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s PP
10. break(v = verb.change) break off, discontinue, stop - prevent completion; "stop the project"; "break off the negotiations"
is one way to end, terminate
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
11. break(v = verb.social) break in - enter someone's (virtual or real) property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act; "Someone broke in while I was on vacation"; "They broke into my car and stole my radio!"; "who broke into my account last night?"
is one way to intrude, trespass
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s PP
12. break(v = verb.change) break in - make submissive, obedient, or useful; "The horse was tough to break"; "I broke in the new intern"
is one way to domesticate, domesticise, domesticize, reclaim, tame
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Somebody ----s somebody
13. break(v = verb.stative) go against, violate - fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns; "This sentence violates the rules of syntax"
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
14. break(v = verb.competition) better - surpass in excellence; "She bettered her own record"; "break a record"
is one way to exceed, outdo, outgo, outmatch, outperform, outstrip, surmount, surpass
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
15. break(v = verb.communication) bring out, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, give away, let on, let out, reveal, unwrap - make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret; "The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold"; "The actress won't reveal how old she is"; "bring out the truth"; "he broke the news to her"; "unwrap the evidence in the murder case"
is one way to tell
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something; Somebody ----s something to somebody; Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
16. break(v = verb.change) - come into being; "light broke over the horizon"; "Voices broke in the air"
is one way to become, get, go
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
17. break(v = verb.change) break down, conk out, die, fail, give out, give way, go, go bad - stop operating or functioning; "The engine finally went"; "The car died on the road"; "The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town"; "The coffee maker broke"; "The engine failed on the way to town"; "her eyesight went after the accident"
is one way to change
Derived form adjective breakable1
Sample sentences:
These cars won't break
18. break(v = verb.social) break away - interrupt a continued activity; "She had broken with the traditional patterns"
is one way to break, break up, part, separate, split, split up
Derived form noun break7
Sample sentences:
Something is ----ing PP; Somebody ----s PP
19. break(v = verb.motion) - make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing; "The ranks broke"
is one way to flee, fly, take flight
Sample sentences:
Something ----s; Somebody ----s
20. break(v = verb.motion) - curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves; "The surf broke"
is one way to break, cave in, collapse, fall in, founder, give, give way
Derived form noun breaker2
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
21. break(v = verb.change) damp, dampen, soften, weaken - lessen in force or effect; "soften a shock"; "break a fall"
is one way to blunt, deaden
Sample sentences:
Something ----s; Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
22. break(v = verb.change) - be broken in; "If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress"
is one way to change
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
23. break(v = verb.stative) - come to an end; "The heat wave finally broke yesterday"
is one way to cease, end, finish, stop, terminate
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
24. break(v = verb.stative) - vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity; "The flat plain was broken by tall mesas"
is one way to alter, change, vary
Derived form noun break1
Sample sentences:
Something ----s something
25. break(v = verb.stative) - cause to give up a habit; "She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes"
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s somebody
26. break(v = verb.stative) - give up; "break cigarette smoking"
is one way to cease, discontinue, give up, lay off, quit, stop
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
27. break(v = verb.stative) - come forth or begin from a state of latency; "The first winter storm broke over New York"
is one way to come forth, emerge
Sample sentences:
Something is ----ing PP
28. break(v = verb.social) - happen or take place; "Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months"
is one way to come about, fall out, go on, hap, happen, occur, pass, pass off, take place
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
29. break(v = verb.social) - cause the failure or ruin of; "His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage"; "This play will either make or break the playwright"
is one way to ruin
Antonym: make
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
30. break(v = verb.social) - invalidate by judicial action; "The will was broken"
is one way to annul, avoid, invalidate, nullify, quash, void
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
31. break(v = verb.social) break up, part, separate, split, split up - discontinue an association or relation; go different ways; "The business partners broke over a tax question"; "The couple separated after 25 years of marriage"; "My friend and I split up"
Derived form noun break4
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
32. break(v = verb.social) bump, demote, kick downstairs, relegate - assign to a lower position; reduce in rank; "She was demoted because she always speaks up"; "He was broken down to Sergeant"
is one way to assign, delegate, depute, designate
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s somebody; Somebody ----s something PP
33. break(v = verb.possession) bankrupt, ruin, smash - reduce to bankruptcy; "My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!"; "The slump in the financial markets smashed him"
is one way to impoverish
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s somebody; Something ----s somebody
34. break(v = verb.motion) - change directions suddenly;
is one way to change, shift, switch
Sample sentences:
Something ----s; Somebody ----s
35. break(v = verb.motion) - emerge from the surface of a body of water; "The whales broke"
is one way to appear
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
36. break(v = verb.motion) cave in, collapse, fall in, founder, give, give way - break down, literally or metaphorically; "The wall collapsed"; "The business collapsed"; "The dam broke"; "The roof collapsed"; "The wall gave in"; "The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice"
is one way to change
Sample sentences:
Something ----s; Somebody ----s
37. break(v = verb.motion) break dance, break-dance - do a break dance; "Kids were break-dancing at the street corner"
is one way to dance, trip the light fantastic, trip the light fantastic toe
Sample sentences:
Sam and Sue break
38. break(v = verb.contact) - exchange for smaller units of money; "I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy"
is one way to change, commute, convert, exchange
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
39. break(v = verb.contact) break up - destroy the completeness of a set of related items; "The book dealer would not break the set"
is one way to alter, change, modify
Derived form adjective breakable1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
40. break(v = verb.contact) - make the opening shot that scatters the balls;
is one way to shoot
Derived form noun break11
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
41. break(v = verb.contact) - separate from a clinch, in boxing; "The referee broke the boxers"
is one way to disunite, divide, part, separate
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s somebody
42. break(v = verb.contact) bust, fall apart, wear, wear out - go to pieces; "The lawn mower finally broke"; "The gears wore out"; "The old chair finally fell apart completely"
is one way to crumble, decay, dilapidate
Derived form adjective breakable1
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
43. break(v = verb.contact) break off, snap off - break a piece from a whole; "break a branch from a tree"
is one way to detach
Derived forms adjective breakable1, noun breakage3, noun breaker1
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
44. break(v = verb.contact) - become punctured or penetrated; "The skin broke"
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
45. break(v = verb.contact) - pierce or penetrate; "The blade broke her skin"
is one way to penetrate, perforate
Sample sentences:
Something ----s something
46. break(v = verb.communication) get around, get out - be released or become known; of news; "News of her death broke in the morning"
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
47. break(v = verb.communication) intermit, pause - cease an action temporarily; "We pause for station identification"; "let's break for lunch"
is one way to break up, cut off, disrupt, interrupt
Derived form noun break5
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s
48. break(v = verb.communication) - interrupt the flow of current in; "break a circuit"
is one way to break up, cut off, disrupt, interrupt
Derived form noun breaker3
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
49. break(v = verb.communication) - undergo breaking; "The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages"
is one way to diphthongise, diphthongize
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
50. break(v = verb.cognition) - find a flaw in; "break an alibi"; "break down a proof"
is one way to destroy, ruin
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something; Something ----s something
51. break(v = verb.cognition) - find the solution or key to; "break the code"
is one way to figure out, lick, puzzle out, solve, work, work out
Sample sentences:
Somebody ----s something
52. break(v = verb.change) - change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another; "Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children"
is one way to change, shift, switch
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
53. break(v = verb.change) develop, recrudesce - happen; "Report the news as it develops"; "These political movements recrudesce from time to time"
is one way to come about, fall out, go on, hap, happen, occur, pass, pass off, take place
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
54. break(v = verb.change) check, crack - become fractured; break or crack on the surface only; "The glass cracked when it was heated"
is one way to change
Derived forms noun break8, adjective breakable1
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
55. break(v = verb.change) - crack; of the male voice in puberty; "his voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir"
is one way to change state, turn
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
56. break(v = verb.change) - fall sharply; "stock prices broke"
is one way to decrease, diminish, fall, lessen
Sample sentences:
The stock market is going to break
57. break(v = verb.body) fracture - fracture a bone of; "I broke my foot while playing hockey"
is one way to injure, wound
Derived form noun break8
Sample sentences:
Did he break his foot?
58. break(v = verb.body) - diminish or discontinue abruptly; "The patient's fever broke last night"
is one way to decrease, diminish, fall, lessen
Sample sentences:
Something ----s
59. break(v = verb.body) - weaken or destroy in spirit or body; "His resistance was broken"; "a man broken by the terrible experience of near-death"
is one way to weaken
Sample sentences:
Something ----s somebody
1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster]
3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster]
"Katharine, break thy mind to me." [1913 Webster]
4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster]
" Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . .
To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray." [1913 Webster]
5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster]
"Go, release them, Ariel;
My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore." [1913 Webster]
6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster]
7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster]
8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster]
"The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity." [1913 Webster]
9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster]
10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster]
11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster]
"An old man, broken with the storms of state." [1913 Webster]
12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster]
"I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall." [1913 Webster]
13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster]
14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. Spenser. [1913 Webster]
"Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?" [1913 Webster]
15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster]
"With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks,
Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks." [1913 Webster]
16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster]
"With prepositions or adverbs: --" [1913 Webster]
"With an immediate object: --" [1913 Webster]
"I see a great officer broken." [1913 Webster]
1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster]
2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster]
"Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out." [1913 Webster]
3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster]
"The day begins to break, and night is fled." [1913 Webster]
"And from the turf a fountain broke,
and gurgled at our feet." [1913 Webster]
4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster]
" The clouds are still above; and, while I speak,
A second deluge o'er our head may break." [1913 Webster]
5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster]
"At length the darkness begins to break." [1913 Webster]
6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster]
"See how the dean begins to break;
Poor gentleman! he droops apace." [1913 Webster]
7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster]
8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster]
"He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty." [1913 Webster]
9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster]
10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster]
11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster]
"With prepositions or adverbs: -" [1913 Webster]
"often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. “Break forth into singing, ye mountains.”
"To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited." [1913 Webster]
"Fear me not, man; I will not break away." [1913 Webster]
"He had broken down almost at the outset." [1913 Webster]
"This radiant from the circling crowd he broke." [1913 Webster]
1. An opening made by fracture or disruption. [1913 Webster]
2. An interruption of continuity; change of direction; as, a break in a wall; a break in the deck of a ship. [1913 Webster]
3. An interruption; a pause; as, a break in friendship; a break in the conversation. [1913 Webster]
4. An interruption in continuity in writing or printing, as where there is an omission, an unfilled line, etc. [1913 Webster]
"All modern trash is
Set forth with numerous breaks and dashes." [1913 Webster]
5. The first appearing, as of light in the morning; the dawn; as, the break of day; the break of dawn. [1913 Webster]
6. A large four-wheeled carriage, having a straight body and calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the footman's behind. [1913 Webster]
7. A device for checking motion, or for measuring friction. See Brake,
8. See Commutator. [1913 Webster]
break, v. & n.
--v. (past broke or archaic brake; past part. broken or archaic broke)
1 tr. & intr. a separate into pieces under a blow or strain; shatter. b make or become inoperative, esp. from damage (the toaster has broken). c break a bone in or dislocate (part of the body). d break the skin of (the head or crown).
2 a tr. cause or effect an interruption in (broke our journey; the spell was broken; broke the silence). b intr. have an interval between spells of work (let's break now; we broke for tea).
3 tr. fail to observe or keep (a law, promise, etc.).
4 a tr. & intr. make or become subdued or weakened; yield or cause to yield (broke his spirit; he broke under the strain). b tr. weaken the effect of (a fall, blow, etc.). c tr. = break in 3c. d tr. defeat, destroy (broke the enemy's power). e tr. defeat the object of (a strike, e.g. by engaging other personnel).
5 tr. surpass (a record).
6 intr. (foll. by with) quarrel or cease association with (another person etc.).
7 tr. a be no longer subject to (a habit). b (foll. by of) cause (a person) to be free of a habit (broke them of their addiction).
8 tr. & intr. reveal or be revealed; (cause to) become known (broke the news; the story broke on Friday).
9 intr. a (of the weather) change suddenly, esp. after a fine spell. b (of waves) curl over and dissolve into foam. c (of the day) dawn. d (of clouds) move apart; show a gap. e (of a storm) begin violently.
10 tr. Electr. disconnect (a circuit).
11 intr. a (of the voice) change with emotion. b (of a boy's voice) change in register etc. at puberty.
12 tr. a (often foll. by up) divide (a set etc.) into parts, e.g. by selling to different buyers. b change (a banknote etc.) for coins.
13 tr. ruin (an individual or institution) financially (see also BROKE adj.).
14 tr. penetrate (e.g. a safe) by force.
15 tr. decipher (a code).
16 tr. make (a way, path, etc.) by separating obstacles.
17 intr. burst forth (the sun broke through the clouds).
18 Mil. a intr. (of troops) disperse in confusion. b tr. make a rupture in (ranks).
19 a intr. (usu. foll. by free, loose, out, etc.) escape from constraint by a sudden effort. b tr. escape or emerge from (prison, bounds, cover, etc.).
20 tr. Tennis etc. win a game against (an opponent's service).
21 intr. Boxing etc. (of two fighters, usu. at the referee's command) come out of a clinch.
22 Mil. tr. demote (an officer).
23 intr. esp. Stock Exch. (of prices) fall sharply.
24 intr. Cricket (of a bowled ball) change direction on bouncing.
25 intr. Billiards etc. disperse the balls at the beginning of a game.
26 tr. unfurl (a flag etc.).
27 tr. Phonet. subject (a vowel) to fracture.
28 tr. fail to rejoin (one's ship) after absence on leave.
29 tr. disprove (an alibi).
--n.
1 a an act or instance of breaking. b a point where something is broken; a gap.
2 an interval, an interruption; a pause in work.
3 a sudden dash (esp. to escape).
4 colloq. a a piece of good luck; a fair chance. b (also bad break) an unfortunate remark or action, a blunder.
5 Cricket a change in direction of a bowled ball on bouncing.
6 Billiards etc. a a series of points scored during one turn. b the opening shot that disperses the balls.
7 Mus. (in jazz) a short unaccompanied passage for a soloist, usu. improvised.
8 Electr. a discontinuity in a circuit.
Idiom:
bad break colloq.
1 a piece of bad luck.
2 a mistake or blunder. break away make or become free or separate (see also BREAKAWAY).
break the back of
1 do the hardest or greatest part of.
2 overburden (a person). break bulk see BULK. break crop a crop grown to avoid the continual growing of cereals. break-dancing an energetic style of street-dancing, developed by US Blacks.
break down
1 a fail in mechanical action; cease to function. b (of human relationships etc.) fail, collapse. c fail in (esp. mental) health. d be overcome by emotion; collapse in tears.
2 a demolish, destroy. b suppress (resistance). c force (a person) to yield under pressure.
3 analyse into components (see also BREAKDOWN). break even emerge from a transaction etc. with neither profit nor loss. break a person's heart see HEART. break the ice 1 begin to overcome formality or shyness, esp. between strangers.
2 make a start.
break in
1 enter premises by force, esp. with criminal intent.
2 interrupt.
3 a accustom to a habit etc. b wear etc. until comfortable. c tame or discipline (an animal); accustom (a horse) to saddle and bridle etc.
4 Austral. & NZ bring (virgin land) into cultivation. break-in n. an illegal forced entry into premises, esp. with criminal intent. breaking and entering (formerly) the illegal entering of a building with intent to commit a felony. breaking-point the point of greatest strain, at which a thing breaks or a person gives way. break in on disturb; interrupt.
break into
1 enter forcibly or violently.
2 a suddenly begin, burst forth with (a song, laughter, etc.). b suddenly change one's pace for (a faster one) (broke into a gallop).
3 interrupt. break-line Printing the last line of a paragraph (usu. not of full length). break of day dawn.
break off
1 detach by breaking.
2 bring to an end.
3 cease talking etc. break open open forcibly.
break out
1 escape by force, esp. from prison.
2 begin suddenly; burst forth (then violence broke out).
3 (foll. by in) become covered in (a rash etc.).
4 exclaim.
5 release (a run-up flag).
6 US a open up (a receptacle) and remove its contents. b remove (articles) from a place of storage. break-out n. a forcible escape.
break point
1 a place or time at which an interruption or change is made.
2 Computing (usu. breakpoint) a place in a computer program where the sequence of instructions is interrupted, esp. by another program.
3 a (in lawn tennis) a point which would win the game for the player(s) receiving service. b the situation at which the receiver(s) may break service by winning such a point.
4 = breaking-point. break step get out of step.
break up
1 break into small pieces.
2 disperse; disband.
3 end the school term.
4 a terminate a relationship; disband. b cause to do this.
5 (of the weather) change suddenly (esp. after a fine spell).
6 esp. US a upset or be upset. b excite or be excited. c convulse or be convulsed (see also BREAKUP). break wind release gas from the anus. break one's word see WORD.
break, n.
1 a carriage-frame without a body, for breaking in young horses.
2 = BRAKE(2).
Etymology:
perh. = brake framework: 17th c., of unkn. orig.
N disjunction, disconnection, disunity, disunion, disassociation, disengagement, discontinuity, abjunction, cataclasm, inconnection, abstraction, abstractedness, isolation, insularity, insulation, oasis, island, separateness, severalty, disjecta membra, dispersion, apportionment, separation, parting, circumcision, detachment, segregation, divorce, sejunction, seposition, diduction, diremption, discerption, elision, caesura, break, fracture, division, subdivision, rupture, compartition, dismemberment, dislocation, luxation, severance, disseverance, scission, rescission, abscission, laceration, dilaceration, disruption, abruption, avulsion, divulsion, section, resection, cleavage, fission, partibility, separability, fissure, breach, rent, split, rift, crack, slit, incision, dissection anatomy, decomposition, cutting instrument, buzzsaw, circular saw, rip saw, separatist, disjoined, discontinuous, multipartite, abstract, disjunctive, secant, isolated, insular, separate, disparate, discrete, apart, asunder, far between, loose, free, unattached, unannexed, unassociated, unconnected, distinct, adrift, straggling, rift, reft, scissile, divisible, discerptible, partible, separable, separately, one by one, severally, apart, adrift, asunder, in twain, in the abstract, abstractedly.
VB be disjoined, come off, fall off, come to pieces, fall to pieces, peel off, get loose, disjoin, disconnect, disengage, disunite, dissociate, dispair, divorce, part, dispart, detach, separate, cut off, rescind, segregate, set apart, keep apart, insulate, isolate, throw out of gear, cut adrift, loose, unloose, undo, unbind, unchain, unlock, unpack, unravel, disentangle, set free, sunder, divide, subdivide, sever, dissever, abscind, circumcise, cut, incide, incise, saw, snip, nib, nip, cleave, rive, rend, slit, split, splinter, chip, crack, snap, break, tear, burst, rend, rend asunder, rend in twain, wrench, rupture, shatter, shiver, cranch, crunch, craunch, chop, cut up, rip up, hack, hew, slash, whittle, haggle, hackle, discind, lacerate, scamble, mangle, gash, hash, slice, cut up, carve, dissect, anatomize, dislimb, take to pieces, pull to pieces, pick to pieces, tear to pieces, tear to tatters, tear piecemeal, tear limb from limb, divellicate, skin, disintegrate, dismember, disbranch, disband, disperse, dislocate, disjoint, break up, mince, comminute, apportion, part, part company, separate, leave.
VB part, divide, break, partition.
N incompleteness, deficiency, short measure, shortcoming, insufficiency, imperfection, immaturity, half measures, defect, deficit, defalcation, omission, caret, shortage, interval, break, noncompletion, missing link, missing piece, missing part, gap, hole, lacuna, incomplete, imperfect, unfinished, uncompleted &c (complete), defective, deficient, wanting, lacking, failing, in default, in arrear, short of, hollow, meager, lame, halfand-half, perfunctory, sketchy, crude, mutilated, garbled, docked, lopped, truncated, in progress, in hand, going on, proceeding, incompletely, by halves, caetera desunt, caret.
N refreshment, bracing, recovery of strength, recuperation, restoration, revival, repair, refection, refocillation, refreshment, regalement, bait, relief, break, spell, refreshment stand, refreshments, ice cream, cold soda, soda pop, hot dogs (food), refreshing, recuperative, refreshed, untired, unwearied.
N discontinuity, disjunction, anacoluthon, interruption, break, fracture, flaw, fault, crack, cut, gap, solution of continuity, caesura, broken thread, parenthesis, episode, rhapsody, patchwork, intermission, alternation, dropping fire, discontinuous, unsuccessive, broken, interrupted, dicousu, disconnected, unconnected, discrete, disjunctive, fitful, spasmodic, desultory, intermitting, occasional, intermittent, alternate, recurrent, at intervals, by snatches, by jerks, by skips, by catches, by fits and starts, skippingly, per saltum, longo intervallo, like 'angel visits few and far between'.
VB be discontinuous, alternate, intermit, sputter, stop and start, hesitate, discontinue, pause, interrupt, intervene, break, break in upon, break off, interpose, break the thread, snap the thread, disconnect, dissever.
VB abrogate, annul, cancel, destroy, abolish, revoke, repeal, rescind, reverse, retract, recall, abolitionize, overrule, override, set aside, disannul, dissolve, quash, nullify, declare null and void, disestablish, disendow, deconsecrate, disclaim, ignore, repudiate, recant, divest oneself, break off, countermand, counter order, do away with, sweep away, brush away, throw overboard, throw to the dogs, scatter to the winds, cast behind, dismiss, discard, cast off, turn off, cast out, cast adrift, cast out of doors, cast aside, cast away, send off, send away, send packing, send about one's business, discharge, get rid of, bounce, fire, fire out, sack, cashier, break, oust, unseat, unsaddle, unthrone, dethrone, disenthrone, depose, uncrown, unfrock, strike off the roll, disbar, disbench, be abrogated, receive its quietus, walk the plank.
VB fail, neglect, omit, elude, evade, give the go-by to, set aside, ignore, shut one's eyes to, close one's eyes to, infringe, transgress, violate, pirate, break, trample under foot, do violence to, drive a coach and six through, discard, protest, repudiate, fling to the winds, set at naught, nullify, declare null and void, cancel, retract, go back from, be off, forfeit, go from one's word, palter, stretch a point, strain a point.
N change, alteration, mutation, permutation, variation, modification, modulation, inflexion, mood, qualification, innovation, metastasis, deviation, turn, evolution, revolution, diversion, break, transformation, transfiguration, metamorphosis, transmutation, deoxidization, transubstantiation, mutagenesis transanimation, transmigration, metempsychosis, avatar, alterative, conversion, revolution &c (sudden or radical change), inversion, displacement, transference, changeableness, tergiversation, changed, newfangled, changeable, transitional, modifiable, alterative, mutatis mutandis, Int, quantum mutatus!, a change came o'er the spirit of my dream, nous avons change tout cela, tempora mutantur nos et mutamur in illis, non sum qualis eram, casaque tourner, corpora lente augescent cito extinguuntur, in statu quo ante bellum, still ending and beginning still, vox audita perit littera scripta manet.
VB not pay, fail, break, stop payment, become insolvent, become bankrupt, be gazetted, protest, dishonor, repudiate, nullify, refuse payment, pay under protest, button up one's pockets, draw the purse strings, apply the sponge, pay over the left shoulder, get whitewashed, swindle, run up bills, fly kites.
N interval, interspace, separation, break, gap, opening, hole, chasm, hiatus, caesura, interruption, interregnum, interstice, lacuna, cleft, mesh, crevice, chink, rime, creek, cranny, crack, chap, slit, fissure, scissure, rift, flaw, breach, rent, gash, cut, leak, dike, ha-ha, gorge, defile, ravine, canon, crevasse, abyss, abysm, gulf, inlet, frith, strait, gully, pass, furrow, abra, barranca, barranco, clove, gulch, notch, yawning gulf, hiatus maxime, hiatus valde deflendus, parenthesis, void, incompleteness, period, interim (time), with an interval, far between, breachy, rimose, rimulose, at intervals, longo intervallo.
VB violate, break, break through, infringe, set aside, set at naught, encroach upon, trench upon, trample on, trample under foot, slight, neglect, evade, renounce, forswear, repudiate, wash one's hands of, escape, transgress, fail, call to account.
N vehicle, conveyance, carriage, caravan, van, common carrier, wagon, waggon, wain, dray, cart, lorry, truck, tram, cariole, carriole, limber, tumbrel, pontoon, barrow, wheel barrow, hand barrow, perambulator, Bath chair, wheel chair, sedan chair, chaise, palankeen, palanquin, litter, brancard, crate, hurdle, stretcher, ambulance, black Maria, conestoga wagon, conestoga wain, jinrikisha, ricksha, brett, dearborn, dump cart, hack, hackery, jigger, kittereen, mailstate, manomotor, rig, rockaway, prairie schooner, shay, sloven, team, tonga, wheel, hobbyhorse, go-cart, cycle, bicycle, bike, two-wheeler, tricycle, velocipede, quadricycle, equipage, turn-out, coach, chariot, phaeton, break, mail phaeton, wagonette, drag, curricle, tilbury, whisky, landau, barouche, victoria, brougham, clarence, calash, caleche, britzka, araba, kibitka, berlin, sulky, desobligeant, sociable, vis-a-vis, dormeuse, jaunting car, outside car, dandi, doolie, dooly, munchil, palki, roller skates, skate, runabout, ski, tonjon, vettura, post chaise, diligence, stage, stage coach, mail coach, hackney coach, glass coach, stage wagon, car, omnibus, fly, cabriolet, cab, hansom, shofle, four-wheeler, growler, droshki, drosky, dogcart, trap, whitechapel, buggy, four-in-hand, unicorn, random, tandem, shandredhan, char-a-bancs, motor car, automobile, limousine, car, auto, jalopy, clunker, lemon, flivver, coupe, sedan, two-door sedan, four-door sedan, luxury sedan, wheels, sports car, roadster, gran turismo, jeep, four-wheel drive vehicle, electric car, steamer, golf cart, electric wagon, taxicab, cab, taxicoach, checker cab, yellow cab, station wagon, family car, motorcycle, motor bike, side car, van, minivan, bus, minibus, microbus, truck, wagon, pick-up wagon, pick-up, tractor- trailer, road train, articulated vehicle, racing car, racer, hot rod, stock car, souped-up car, bob, bobsled, bobsleigh, cutter, double ripper, double runner, jumper, sled, sledge, sleigh, toboggan, train, accommodation train, passenger train, express trail, special train, corridor train, parliamentary train, luggage train, freight train, goods train, 1st class train, 2nd class train, 3rd class train, 1st class carriage, 2nd class carriage, 3rd class carriage, 1st class compartment, 2nd class compartment, 3rd class compartment, rolling stock, horse box, cattle truck, baggage car, express car, freight car, parlor car, dining car, Pullman car, sleeping car, sleeper, dome car, surface car, tram car, trolley car, box car, box wagon, horse car, bullet train, shinkansen, cannonball, the Wabash cannonball, lightning express, luggage van, mail, mail car, mail van, shovel, spool, spatula, ladle, hod, hoe, spade, spaddle, loy, spud, pitchfork, post hole digger, tractor, steamshovel, backhoe, fork lift, earth mover, dump truck, bulldozer, grader, caterpillar, trench digger, steamroller, pile driver, crane, wrecking crane.
N guilt, guiltiness, culpability, criminality, criminousness, deviation from rectitude, sinfulness, misconduct, misbehavior, misdoing, misdeed, malpractice, fault, sin, error, transgression, dereliction, delinquency, indiscretion, lapse, slip, trip, faux pas, peccadillo, flaw, blot, omission, failing, failure, break, bad break!, capital crime, delictum, offense, trespass, misdemeanor, misfeasance, misprision, malefaction, malfeasance, malversation, crime, felony, enormity, atrocity, outrage, deadly sin, mortal sin, deed without a name, corpus delicti, guilty, to blame, culpable, peccable, in fault, at fault, censurable, reprehensible, blameworthy, uncommendable, illaudable, weighed in the balance and found wanting, exceptionable, in flagrante delicto, red-handed, in the very act, with one's hand in the cookie jar, cui prodest scelus in fecit, culpam paena premit comes, O would the deed were good!, responsibility prevents crimes se judice nemo noce, so many laws argues so many sins.
VB be brittle, live in a glass house, break, crack, snap, split, shiver, splinter, crumble, break short, burst, fly, give way, fall to pieces, crumble to, crumble into dust.
VB confute, refute, disprove, parry, negative, controvert, rebut, confound, disconfirm, redargue, expose, show the fallacy of, defeat, demolish, break, overthrow, overturn scatter to the winds, explode, invalidate, silence, put to silence, reduce to silence, clinch an argument, clinch a question, give one a setdown, stop the mouth, shut up, have, have on the hip, not leave a leg to stand on, cut the ground from under one's feet, be confuted, fail, expose one's weak point, show one's weak point, counter evidence.
VB disclose, discover, dismask, draw the veil, draw aside the veil, lift the veil, raise the veil, lift up the veil, remove the veil, tear aside the veil, tear the curtain, unmask, unveil, unfold, uncover, unseal, unkennel, take off the seal, break the seal, lay open, lay bare, expose, open, open up, bare, bring to light, divulge, reveal, break, squeal, tattle, sing, rat, snitch, let into the secret, reveal the secrets of the prison house, tell, breathe, utter, blab, peach, let out, let fall, let drop, let slip, spill the beans, let the cat out of the bag, betray, tell tales, come out of school, come out with, give vent, give utterance to, open the lips, blurt out, vent, whisper about, speak out, make public, unriddle, split, acknowledge, allow, concede, grant, admit, own, own up to, confess, avow, throw off all disguise, turn inside out, make a clean breast, show one's hand, show one's cards, unburden one's mind, disburden one's mind, disburden one's conscience, disburden one's heart, open one's mind, lay bare one's mind, tell a piece of one's mind, unbosom oneself, own to the soft impeachment, say the truth, speak the truth, turn King's evidence, Queen's evidence, acknowledge the corn, raise the mask, drop the mask, lift the mask, remove the mask, throw off the mask, expose, lay open, undeceive, unbeguile, disabuse, set right, correct, open the eyes of, d_esillusionner, be disclosed, transpire, come to light, come in sight, become known, escape the lips, come out, ooze out, creep out, leak out, peep out, crop-out, show its face, show its colors, discover itself, break through the clouds, flash on the mind.
VB teach, instruct, educate, edify, school, tutor, cram, prime, coach, enlighten, inculcate, indoctrinate, inoculate, infuse, instill, infix, ingraft, infiltrate, imbue, impregnate, implant, graft, sow the seeds of, disseminate, given an idea of, put up to, put in the way of, set right, sharpen the wits, enlarge the mind, give new ideas, open the eyes, bring forward, teach the young idea how to shoot, improve, expound, lecture, read a lesson, give a lesson, give a lecture, give a sermon, give a discourse, incept, hold forth, preach, sermonize, moralize, point a moral, train, discipline, bring up, bring up to, form, ground, prepare, qualify, drill, exercise, practice, habituate, familiarize with, nurture, drynurse, breed, rear, take in hand, break, break in, tame, preinstruct, initiate, inure, put to nurse, send to school, direct, guide, direct attention to, impress upon the mind, impress upon the memory, beat into, beat into the head, convince, book, workbook, exercise book, preach to the wise, teach one's grandmother to suck eggs, teach granny to suck eggs, preach to the converted.
break apart, break away, break bread, break camp, break dance, break dancing, break down, break even, break forth, break ground, break in, break into, break loose, break of day, break of serve, break of the day, break off, break one's back, break open, break out, break seal, break short, break someone's heart, break the ice, break the law, break the news, break through, break up, break water, break wind, break with, coffee break, fast break, hammer break, make and break, service break, spring break, tax break, tea break