breakn.1
/breɪk/, U.S. /breɪk/ 1.
a. An act of breaking; breakage, fracture.
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the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > [noun]
breachOE
breakingc975
brusure1382
breaka1400
crasure1413
chininga1420
bursting1487
bruisinga1500
fraction?a1560
chinking1565
springingc1595
infraction1623
disruption1646
abruption1654
diruption1656
chapping1669
chopping1669
fracturea1676
rumple1746
breakage1775
disrupture1785
fracturing1830
disruptment1834
snapping1891
fractionation1926
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8044 Wit-vten brek of ani bogh.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6344 Wit-vten ani brek or brist.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 49 Breke, or brekynge, ruptura, fractura.
1870 Standard 12 Dec. The great operation had been stopped by the break of a bridge of boats.
b. The breaking or grinding of grain; the coarse particles left when the flour has been removed.
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1888 H. H. P. Powles tr. F. Kick Flour Manuf. 223 The coarsest middlings are somewhat smaller than break, and thus only differ in size from first scalped.
1888 H. H. P. Powles tr. F. Kick Flour Manuf. 236 The break coming from the millstone passes into the separating cylinder s* (sizing reel), the meal falls through, that is, all the finer particles, the flour, dunst, the whole of the middlings, fine or coarse, whilst the scalped break falls out at the end of the reels.
c. A breakaway or breakdown; a collapse or failure. U.S.
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1827 J. Randolph To Dr. Brockenbrough 3 Mar. in Life (1851) II. 289 I am of opinion that (as we say in Virginia) we have made a ‘great break’. In fact, the administration have succeeded in no one measure.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. lxx. 568 One balloting follows another till what is called ‘the break’ comes... The break, when it comes, comes with fierce intensity.
2. break of day or morn: the first appearance of light, the dawn. So break of June: the beginning or opening days of June.
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the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > dawn > [noun]
aristc825
dawingc900
dayeOE
day-rimOE
day-redOE
mornOE
lightOE
lightingOE
dawning1297
day-rowa1300
grekinga1300
uprista1300
dayninga1325
uprisingc1330
sun arisingc1350
springc1380
springingc1380
day-springa1382
morrowingc1384
dayingc1400
daylighta1425
upspring1471
aurora1483
sky1515
orienta1522
breaking of the day1523
daybreak1530
day-peep1530
morrow dayc1530
peep of the morning1530
prick of the day?1533
morning1535
day-breaking1565
creek1567
sunup1572
breach of the day1579
break of day or morn1584
peep of day1587
uprise1594
dawna1616
day-dawn1616
peep of dawn1751
strike of day1790
skreigh1802
sunbreak1822
day-daw1823
screech1829
dayclean1835
sun dawn1835
first light1838
morning-red1843
piccaninny sun1846
piccaninny daylightc1860
gloaming1873
glooming1877
sparrow-fart1886
crack1887
sun-spring1900
piccaninny dawn1936
the world > time > period > a month or calendar month > specific months > [noun] > June
JunelOE
break of June1820
1584 T. Lodge Delect. Hist. Forbonius & Prisceria in Alarum 21 b The careful Marriner..sought for his Loade starre, and at breake of morning..found it out.
1596 M. Drayton Mortimeriados sig. O 3 The misty breake yet proues a goodly day.
a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) iv. ii. 205 At the fifth dayes break, those that were in the top of the maine Mast began to cry, Land.
1708 London Gaz. No. 4471/3 Lieutenant-General Dedem was..order'd to march Yesterday at break a-Day.
1755 E. Young Centaur vi, in Wks. (1757) IV. 252 I see the break of their moral day.
1812 J. Wilson Isle of Palms iii. 749 Now dim, now dazzling like the break of morn.
1820 J. Keats Isabella in Lamia & Other Poems 51 A whole long month of May in this sad plight Made their cheeks paler by the break of June.
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the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > [noun] > violent
breakc1565
irruption1577
breach1578
breaking1617
inbreaking1652
inruption1809
inbreak1837
inburst1837
break-in1856
inbursting1858
incrash1861
c1565 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1728) 57 The Englishmen had wasted so much on the borders, without any occasion or break of him to England.
a. A breaking forth, a burst (of sound). Obsolete.
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the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sudden or violent sound > [noun]
peal1535
thud1535
bouncing1598
ran-tan1607
sulphur?1611
bursta1616
stound1627
randana1661
break1751
flare1815
slam-banging1823
bang1854
spang1883
whoomph1891
ka-boom1965
zap1984
1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. iv. 27 The..Order of their Flight was admirable, and the Break of the Trumpets so great..that I wondered how they could bear it.
b. An act of breaking out or away (see to break out 2 at break v. Phrasal verbs); a rush or dash; an escape; frequently with to make. Originally U.S.
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the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [noun] > quick or sudden
flemeOE
break1833
1833 Sketches & Eccentricities D. Crockett 82 Just before I got there, the old bear made a break and got loose.
1846 J. J. Hooper Some Adventures Simon Suggs (1851) xii. 143 I maid a brake on a bee line for Urwinton.
1878 E. B. Tuttle Border Tales 46 Finally, the leader [elk] will make a break in one direction or another... Having made one break..their wits are exhausted.
1888 T. Roosevelt in Cent. Mag. May 49 Our three men..understood perfectly that the slightest attempt at a break would result in their being shot down.
1910 J. Hart Vigilante Girl xix. 266 Hamlin did not yet know of the jail-break.
1920 C. E. Mulford Johnny Nelson iv. 47 Oh, if you'll only make a break, or give me half an excuse to throw lead!
1929 ‘G. Daviot’ Man in Queue vi. 65 The man had gone to ground instead of making a break for it.
c. Horticulture. A bud or shoot that sprouts from a plant-stem. Also attributive, as break bud (see quot. 19542).
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the world > plants > part of plant > bud > [noun]
burgeoninga1340
bud1398
burging1398
burgeona1400
tendron14..
buttona1425
pumple1523
oillet1574
dodkin1578
pimple1582
eyelet1600
knot1601
eye1618
budleta1864
button bud1869
break1933
the world > plants > part of plant > bud > [adjective]
bud-like1839
break1933
1933 Jrnl. Royal Hort. Soc. 58 99 There are varieties too that on natural break buds are not good.
1933 Jrnl. Royal Hort. Soc. 58 9 Secure the plants well at the top break.
1954 A. G. L. Hellyer Encycl. Garden Work 30/2 A break is a branch or fork.
1954 A. G. L. Hellyer Encycl. Garden Work 31/1 If a rooted chrysanthemum cutting is left to its own devices, it will after a time, produce an abortive flower bud at the top of the stem, which will prevent further lengthening of this particular stem and force it to produce side shoots or breaks. In consequence, this abortive flower bud is often known as the ‘break bud’.
1959 Listener 22 Oct. 706/1 From these [shoots], new breaks will appear which will produce the blooms for next season.
5. Cricket. A ‘twist’ or deviation of the ball from its previous direction on touching the ground. break-back n. the breaking in of a ball from the off side (i.e. with a right-handed bowler).
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > [noun] > a ball bowled > motion of ball > specific
curl1833
screw1840
devil1845
rise1845
work1846
break1851
spin1851
hang1866
bump1867
fire1888
leg-spin1888
air break1900
turn1900
underspin1901
off-spin1904
finger spin1905
swing1906
back-spin1916
outswing1921
inswing1927
away swing1936
wrist-spin1960
1851 J. Pycroft Cricket Field vii. 137 Look hard for the twist, or a ‘break’ will be fatal.
1855 F. Lillywhite Guide to Cricketers (ed. 8) 21 Without a ‘break-back’, the thing is impossible with any but an over-pitched ball.
1866 Jerks in from Short Leg 74 The break-back removing a bail destroys in a moment the vision of triumph.
1881 Standard 18 June 3/1 Steel beat him with the break, and Hone stumped him well.
1881 Macmillan's Mag. 43 288/2 By virtue of a good pitch and a break back.
1884 I. Bligh in James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Ann. i. ii. 7 Considerable command over the ball in respect of pitch and break.
1886 Daily News 22 July 5/1 Mr. Tylecote..was bowled by an unplayable break-back of Mr. Spofforth's.
6.
a. Billiards. A consecutive series of successful strokes; the number of points thus scored.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > turn or series of strokes
break1865
frame1868
visit1927
1865 Times 10 Apr. Mr. Russell vastly improved in his play, making some very excellent breaks.
1883 Land & Water 10 Feb. 99 It is evidently possible, given the necessary nerve and skill, for breaks of 500 and upwards to be made on the billiard tables of the present make.
b. Similarly in Croquet.
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society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > croquet > [noun] > types of stroke > series of successful strokes
break1874
1874 J. D. Heath Compl. Croquet-player 55 Do not let the balls you are playing on in your break get too close together.
c. A continuous or unbroken run. colloquial.
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1898 Daily News 30 June 7/1 We understood that Waterloo and Exeter would be a ‘break’ accomplished by at least one of the South Western Company's West of England expresses.
1898 Daily News 30 June 7/1 This is a ‘break’ of 130 miles at the speed of 53 miles an hour.
7. † b. An opening, a bay. Obsolete.
a. A broken place, gap, or opening: of more general application than breach n.
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the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] > opening or break in continuity
breakinga1300
breaka1400
interval1489
breach1530
gapa1616
discontinuity1676
puka1921
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14012 Þar sco fand ani breck or sare, Wit hir smerl sco smerd þare.
1539 Act 31 Hen. VIII v It shalbe lawfull..to make dere leapes and breakes in the said hedges.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 97 Where these Holes or Breaks are met with.
1694 Philos. Trans. 1693 (Royal Soc.) 17 987 At the breakes of some banks, I have found veins of Clay.
1832 W. Macgillivray Trav. & Researches A. von Humboldt ii. 39 The Peak of Teyde..appeared in a break above the clouds.
1879 L. G. Seguin Black Forest xiv. 236 He might wander..without finding a break in the mountain wall.
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the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > bend in coast > [noun] > bay or gulf
bay1385
bosomc1400
gulfc1400
gouffre1477
break?1520
reach1526
bight1555
opening1576
sine1605
breach1611
cod1611
traversea1645
sinus1684
embayment1815
?1520 A. Barclay tr. Sallust Cron. Warre agaynst Iugurth xlv. f. 63 For about thextreme parts of Affrike be .ij. breekes of the see [L. sinus] nere togyder.
8. An interruption of continuity:
a. in anything material; spec. in geological strata, a fault; also in the deck of a ship (see quot. 1850).
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the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] > opening or break in continuity > in a wall, hedge, fence, dike, etc.
sharda1000
gapc1380
slopc1386
slapc1425
intermission1624
gap-stead1644
gool1664
gateway1707
break1725
smeuse1819
rent1879
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World ii. 94 The hollow Channel in the Middle; there was a Kind of a Fall, or Break in it.
1747 W. Hooson Miners Dict. sig. Yviijb Signs of some Break, Chun, or Vein.
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §209 Probably with several breaks, as is usual in the arrangement of the Strata of the earth.
1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster II. xiv. 194 Captain Drawlock walked to the break of the gangways.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xiii. 32 Foster went as far as the break of the deck, and there waited for him.
1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 101 Break, the sudden termination or rise in the decks of some merchant ships, where the aft and sometimes the forepart of the deck is kept up to give more height between decks.
b. in a course of action or time. spec. of a trotter or pacer, the act of breaking away from a level stride (cf. break v. 38c) (originally U.S.).
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the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun]
steadc1000
leathc1175
abiding1340
broklinga1400
pausation1422
pausing1440
interceasingc1450
suspensing?1504
suspending1524
intermission1526
leathing1535
suspensationc1571
intercession1572
suspense1584
abeyance1593
suspension1603
recession1606
interruption1607
recess1620
intercision1625
intercessation1659
intermittency1662
pretermission1677
break1689
cess1703
intermittence1796
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > [noun] > action of breaking away from level stride
break1868
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [noun] > changing gait
break1868
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > a temporary cessation of activity or operation
pause1440
trip1584
interpause1595
wem1599
stand1602
vacation1617
interspiration1623
intercisiona1631
interregnum1659
lapse1838
shutdown1857
break1878
slip1898
seventh-inning stretch1915
standoff1918
1689 W. Sherlock Pract. Disc. Death iii. §4. 173 It makes a break in our lives.
1830 C. Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 134 This remarkable break in the regular sequence of physical events.
1839 Spirit of Times 13 July 222/3 It was as bad a break as we ever saw.
1868 H. Woodruff & C. J. Foster Trotting Horse Amer. i. 41 The penalty of a break was such that the rider..would be afraid to push his horse up to the top of his speed.
1876 3rd Rep. Vermont State Board Agric. 1875–6 143 His superior trotting motion..is not disturbed by any attending circumstances into a break.
1878 M. E. Herbert tr. J. A. von Hübner Ramble round World i. xii. 184 The run is 5,000 miles without a break.
1878 J. Morley Diderot I. 252 He would pass a whole month without a day's break, working ten hours a day at the revision of proof-sheets.
1890 Harper's Mag. June 50/2 But Lucifer was still ahead. There had not been a ‘break’ yet.
1903 A. D. McFaul Ike Glidden xxii. 200 When rounding into the home stretch his horse broke, and suddenly went to a wild swerving break that carried him to the complete outside of the track.
1968 Wanganui Chron. 15 Nov. 6/3 Stylish Major, the beaten favourite on Tuesday after going into a break trying to match the early pace.
c. in a discourse or composition; in the rhythm of a verse; also in printed matter. Occasionally attributive, as in break-line.
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the mind > language > speech > interruption > [noun] > an interruption
break1627
interjection1896
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. sig. A6v You finde the word in the Margent in that [paragraph] breake against it.
1710 J. Swift in J. Swift & R. Steele Tatler No. 230 The Breaks at the End of almost every Sentence.
1779 S. Johnson Dryden in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets III. 310 The Alexandrine..invariably requires a break at the sixth syllable.
1885 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 14 727 There is no break in the section, and the words ‘in any highway’, govern all that follows.
d. Marks [– – –] employed in print or writing to indicate abrupt pauses.
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society > communication > writing > written character > punctuation > [noun] > omission marks
apostrophe1598
caret1710
eclipsis1727
break1733
dash1733
blank1773
ellipsis1795
tilde1959
1733 J. Swift On Poetry 8 In modern Wit all printed Trash, is Set off with num'rous Breaks —— and Dashes —.
1862 T. A. Trollope Marietta I. x. 183 An unlimited supply of question stops, marks of admiration, italics and breaks.
e. A short interval between lessons, usually in the middle of morning or afternoon school. Also transferred. Cf. coffee-break n. at coffee n. Compounds 2, tea-break.
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society > education > educational administration > school administration > [noun] > set time of attendance > interval
break1861
1861 H. Spencer Educ. ii. 65 Short breaks during school-hours, excursions into the country,..in these and many like traits, the change may be discerned.
1913 C. Mackenzie Sinister St. I. i. vi. 94 Well, see you to-morrow in the break, young Fane.
1921 S. Thompson Rough Crossing ii. §1 At ‘break’ Elizabeth met Lilian again.
1927 J. Elder Thomasina Toddy xvii The next day the trio and Stella spent ‘break’ walking arm-in-arm round the garden together.
1933 D. C. Peel Life's Enchanted Cup xi. 133 In many workrooms no morning break was permitted... We finally decided that..the girls should be allowed a ten minutes' break at 11 o'clock.
f. On the Stock Exchange, a sudden decline or falling of in prices. (Cf. break v. 8c.) U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [noun] > decline in prices > sudden
break1870
slump1888
1870 J. K. Medbery Men & Myst. Wall St. 203 To endure an occasional ‘break’ in stocks.
1902 S. Clapin Dict. Amer. s.v. Break,..a Wall Street term for a sudden decline in the value of stocks.
1931 Economist 23 May 1110/2 The trend continued downwards, with particularly sharp breaks among high-priced stocks.
g. slang. A collection taken in aid of a prisoner awaiting trial or recently discharged.
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1879 Macmillan's Mag. Oct. 502/1 The mob got me up a break (collection).
1896 A. Morrison Child of Jago xxv. 252 Get up a ‘break’ or subscription to pay for his defence.
h. The angle between the brim and crown of a hat.
ΚΠ
1881 in Ogilvie's Imperial Dict.
i. A mistake, blunder; esp. in a bad break: a serious mistake. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > lack of truth, falsity > an error, mistake > [noun] > serious error, blunder
blunder1706
blunderbuss1726
floor1841
bull1846
howler1872
atrocity1878
break1884
bloomer1889
boner1912
bish1937
black1939
blue1941
cock-up1946
piss-up1950
screw-up1950
blob1952
1884 B. Nye Baled Hay 200 Possibly science may be wrong. We have known science to make bad little breaks.
1887 F. Francis Saddle & Mocassin 146 You've made one or two bad breaks since you've been in town.
1897 Congr. Rec. Feb. 2364/1 I believe he made a bad break as a lawyer, but I believe him to be a good lawyer.
1902 G. H. Lorimer Lett. Merchant 311 When a clerk makes a fool break, I don't want to beg his pardon for calling his attention to it.
1905 R. Kipling Actions & Reactions (1909) 26 We're..moving in worlds not realised, and we shall make some bad breaks.
1911 S. E. White Rules of Game (new ed.) i. xvii You made one bad break just now.
1926 C. Hamilton in Good Housek. July 187/1 I wish you had told me how to address him before you went away. As it was I made a fearful break when he came to fetch me.
1931 P. G. Wodehouse If I were You vii. 82 He'd always be worrying..for fear he was going to make a break of some kind.
j. A freak or abnormal development from the parent stock.
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the world > plants > variety or species > [noun] > mutation
sporter1723
sport1834
break1921
the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > [noun] > changes or actions of genes or chromosomes > mutation > mutant
sport of nature1601
lusus naturaea1661
sportling1723
sport1834
bud-sport1900
mutant1901
break1921
mutation1941
1921 Conquest Sept. 491/3 These ‘mutations’, ‘sports’ or ‘breaks’, as they are variously called.
1933 Jrnl. Royal Hort. Soc. 58 388 We are always looking out for natural breaks or variations.
k. Broadcasting. (See quot. 1941); spec. in natural break (see quot. 1962).
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society > communication > broadcasting > a broadcast programme or item > [noun] > break between programmes or signal
station break1931
interval signal1932
break1941
programme junction1941
1941 B.B.C. Gloss. Broadcasting Terms 5 Break, interruption, either momentary or prolonged, in the transmission of a programme.
1959 Manch. Guardian 11 Aug. 4/5 The only reason grandpappy hasn't been on television is that he never could learn to wait for the natural breaks.
1962 Rep. Comm. Broadcasting 1960 72 in Parl. Papers 1961–2 (Cmnd. 1753) Fourth among the main specific duties laid upon the [Independent Television] Authority is the obligation to ensure that advertisements do not occur except at the beginning or end of programmes, or in natural breaks in them... What was meant by the term was a break which would have occurred even had there been no advertisement: for example, in the interval between the acts of a play, or at half-time in football matches.
9. Music.
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Categories »
a. The point of separation between the different registers of a voice.
b. ‘In an organ stop: The sudden alteration of the proper scale-series of pipes by returning to those of an octave lower in pitch’ (Stainer and Barrett).
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > keyboard instrument > organ > [noun] > stop > one giving sudden change
break1880
1880 C. A. Edwards Organs ii. xxi. 153 As a rule on modern organs the breaks are made on the C sharp keys.
1883 J. Curwen Standard Course (ed. 6) 105/2 Passages running across the ‘break’ can be sung with an even quality of voice.
1883 J. Curwen Standard Course (ed. 6) 107/1 The break between the upper and lower thick registers is easily noticed in male voices.
c. In jazz, a short solo or improvised phrase; a passage of a few bars during which an instrumentalist plays unaccompanied. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > piece of music > section of piece of music > [noun] > passages in jazz
jazz1918
break1926
chorus1926
stop time1929
tag1929
lick1932
riff1933
ride1935
release1936
sock chorus1936
rideout1939
screamer1940
stop chords1941
chase1942
stop chorus1942
mop1945
1926 A. Niles in W. C. Handy Blues 8 The notes..which follow this rest, fill in the following break, and themselves are called ‘the break’, or ‘the jazz’.
1927 Melody Maker Apr. 377/1 Now try a two-bar break composed of Type A and Type B.
1958 P. Oliver in P. Gammond Decca Bk. of Jazz i. 21 Of each line of four bars, he may sing only two or three, allowing room for an instrumental or vocal ‘break’.
10.
a. Something abruptly breaking the line, or level; an irregularity, roughness, knot, etc. spec. rough, irregular country; broken country (U.S. regional).
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the world > space > shape > unevenness > [noun] > uneven part, place, or feature
cockle1463
unevenness1598
break1757
the world > the earth > land > ground > [noun] > rough
roughlOE
break1820
scrag1858
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iii. §16. 102 The fine variation is lost in wrinkles, sudden breaks, and right lines.
1771 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1876) iv. 362 A portrait-painter..leaves out all the minute breaks..in the face.
1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. Angling (ed. 2) 168 Break, a knot in the joint of a rod.
1820 J. C. Gilleland Ohio & Mississippi Pilot 171 Some of the breaks rise in deep circular glens called coves.
1895 C. King Fort Frayne ii. 27 And here, among the breaks of the Mini Pusa, Farrar had thrown his little command..square across the path of the foe.
1902 Webster's Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Suppl. Break.., a line of cliffs, and associated spurs and small valleys, at the edge of a mesa. (Western U.S.)
1903 S. Clapin New Dict. Amer. 74 Break, a rough, irregular piece of ground. (Neb.)
1918 S. S. Visher Geogr. S. Dakota 117 Badlands or ‘breaks’ afforded protection from winter storms.
b. Architecture (see quots.)
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > [noun] > other projecting parts
jetty1422
relish1428
jutty1519
outcast1574
brow1601
saillie1664
sally1665
break1685
bowa1723
sweep1726
foreshot1839
marquee1926
podium1954
1685 J. Evelyn Diary (1955) IV. 471 Windoes, Columns at the break & Entrance, of freestone.
1807 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 5) II. 88 The breaks of the windows themselves are 8 feet 6 inches high, and 1 foot 3 inches deep.
1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 441 Any portion of the exterior side of a building which protrudes itself towards the spectator, is denominated a projection or break.
c. A broken or disturbed portion on the surface of water. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > body of water > moving water > [noun] > agitated water
swalla1340
swelth1563
break1852
storm-water1879
1852 Trans. Michigan Agric. Soc. 3 231 They will make a break in the water near the shore with their tail.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi xxx. 278 Beaver Dam Rock was out in the middle of the river now, and throwing a prodigious ‘break’.
1890 Harper's Mag. Apr. 715/1 I run off once with my tackle, an' 'd jest throwed in my line an' seed a break, when mother calls out.
1897 ‘M. Twain’ Following Equator ix. 109 With..the ‘break’ spreading away from its head, and the wake following behind its tail.
d. The combination or junction of different styles or designs in the same building.
ΚΠ
1889 in Cent. Dict. Break.
e. Fortification. A brisure.
ΚΠ
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 362/1 Break, a change from the general direction of the curtain near its extremity in the construction with orillons and retired flanks.
11.
a. A number of chests of tea, a lot or consignment.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] > load or lot of specific size or abundance
ladec897
cheapc1384
shock1582
commodity1592
allotment1703
piece1774
break1864
lot1872
bulka1888
chance lot1888
trucklot1943
1864 Times 4 Nov. Breaks of Canton scented orange pekoe.
1883 Times 24 Mar. 6 In a break of 600 chests you will find an absolute uniformity of weight, both of package and contents and of quality.
b. U.S. (See quot.)
ΚΠ
1859 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) Break, a regular sale of tobacco at the ‘breaking’ or opening of the hogsheads.
12. A portion of ground broken up for cultivation; a tract distinct in surface or appearance.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > farm > farmland > land suitable for cultivation > [noun] > broken land
break1674
breck1787
1674 J. Ray S. & E. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 60 Break, land plowed the first year after it hath lain fallow in the sheep walks. Norf.
1767 A. Young Farmer's Lett. 11 I have..seen Breaks of wheat of five quarters per acre.
1794 J. Sinclair Statist. Acct. Scotl. XI. 152 Such farms as are divided into 3 inclosures, or, as they are commonly called, breaks.
1878 W. Black Green Pastures II. 14 Young rabbits..scurried through the dry heather to the sandy breaks.
1883 Nature 8 Mar. 446/1 The ‘break’ or oasis, believed..to exist in the interior of Greenland.
13. dialect. A large number or quantity.
ΚΠ
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Break, a considerable number of people, a crowd; as a break of folk, Fife.
1880 M. A. Courtney W. Cornwall Words in M. A. Courtney & T. Q. Couch Gloss. Words Cornwall 6/1 Brake, a large quantity: particularly applied to flowers, as a ‘brake of honeysuckle’.
1884 G. C. Davies Norfolk Broads xxxii. 247 The sky was cloudless, & the stars remarkably brilliant..Alluding to the ‘break’ of stars above us, the man said that it foretold rough stormy weather.
14. In type-founding, a surplus piece of metal remaining on the shank of a newly cast type.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > type founding > [noun] > superfluous metal on type
break1683
pick1683
pour-piece1885
tang1908
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. Dict. 370 Break,..the Mettle that is contiguous to the Shank of a New Cast Letter: This Break is formed in the Mouth-piece of the Letter-mould, and is called a Break, because it is always broke from the Shank of a Letter.
1843 C. Holtzapffel Turning & Mech. Manip. I. 324 The breaks, or the runners, of the types are first broken off.
a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. I.
15. The quantity of hemp which is prepared or sold in one year. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > plants, grasses, or reeds > [noun] > vegetable fibre > hemp > quantity produced in a year
break1796
1796 Mercury (Boston, Mass.) 29 Apr. (Cent. Dict.) Best St. Petersburg clean Hemp of the break of the year 1796.
1907 Daily Chron. 7 Mar. 6/6 A ‘break’ of hemp, which in America means the quantity sold in a year.
16. A portion of a crop of turnips, etc., set aside for sheep to feed on.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animal food > [noun] > fodder > fodder for sheep
turnip1548
wild turnip1597
broouage1610
French turnip1731–3
brush-turnip1799
break1805
old man saltbush1866
1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. II. 672 Removing them [sc. sheep] to fresh portions or breaks every eight or ten days.
1886 C. Scott Pract. Sheep-farming 48 A certain breadth or portion of the turnips, called a ‘break’, the extent of which is regulated by the number of sheep to be put on.
1933 L. G. D. Acland in Press (N.Z.) 23 Sept. 13/7 Break, a temporary division made in a paddock so that stock shall feed off the turnips, etc., in sections.
1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. May 461/1 Breaks of winter forage crops such as turnips or chou moellier.
17.
a. An apparatus for interrupting or changing the direction of an electric current; a commutator.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical engineering > operation of machinery > [noun] > regulation of current > device for
inversor1839
break-piece1842
rheotrope1843
break1852
commutator1874
1852 C. Tomlinson Cycl. Useful Arts (1854) I. 580/1 The other pole..communicates..with the little wheel..called the break, the circumference of which is partly of metal and partly of wood or ivory, so as to interrupt and renew..the metallic connexion.
a1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. I.
b. The action of breaking contact in an electric circuit; the position in which contact is broken (in at break). See also make n.2 11.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > circuit > circuit-breaker > [noun] > action of breaking contact
break1875
1875 F. Guthrie Magn. & Electr. §235 The automatic make and break. Fig. 181 shows the ‘hammer break’.
1876 Nature 18 May 62/2 The increase of excitability was manifested towards make, and scarcely at all towards break.
18. colloquial. A chance, an opportunity; a piece of good luck; frequently with defining word, as an even break: an equal or fair chance. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > chance [phrase] > even chance or toss up
an even bet1591
cross and pile1597
an even break1911
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun] > good fortune > piece of
opportunity?a1425
honeyfall1642
luck in a bag1649
hit1666
godsend1810
stroke of luck1853
bonanza1878
lucky break1889
break1911
a bit of fat1923
snip1932
1911 H. Quick Yellowstone Nights v. 126 It's allus an even break whether they'll stan' and freeze in their tracks, or chase after some bunch of..natives.
1911 C. E. Mulford Bar-20 Days xxiii. 231 Now he wanted an ‘even break’, where once he would have called all his wits into play to avoid it.
1918 C. E. Mulford Man from Bar-20 xiii. 128 If th' stakes are high an' the breaks anywhere near equal, I'll risk my last dollar or my last breath.
1923 M. Watts Luther Nichols 198 If I get an even break on it for five years, it's as much as I'm expecting.
1926 J. Black You can't Win xxi. 331 I could ‘take’ the spot if I got a fair break on the luck.
1928 Daily Express 11 July 12 The chances in the ‘quarter-mile’ seem to give the Americans only an even break for a first place.
1930 Publishers' Weekly 8 Feb. 705/2 These buyers and their stores get what are known as ‘the breaks’.
1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock ii. i. 62 A break like that's too good.
1938 G. Greene Brighton Rock ii. i. 72 We had a lucky break.
1948 L. A. G. Strong Trevannion 196 Give the boy a break, they thought indulgently.
19. Boxing. The act of separating after the contestants have been in a clinch.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > [noun] > separating of contestants
breakaway1857
break1928
1928 Daily Express 2 Aug. 13/5 Lewis was disqualified for hitting on the break.
Compounds
C1. With adverbs, expressing the action of the corresponding verbal combinations (break v. Phrasal verbs).
break-away n. (also Australian and New Zealand slang, a drinking bout), breakdown n., break-up n., etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > [noun] > failure or collapse (of institution, etc.)
fall?1544
miscarriage1652
breakdown1832
collapse1856
burst-up1879
break-away1885
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [noun] > drinking-bout
cups1406
drinking?1518
banquet1535
Bacchanal1536
pot-revel1577
compotation1593
rouse1604
Bacchanalia1633
potmealc1639
bout1670
drinking-bout1673
carouse1690
carousal1765
drunk1779
bouse1786
toot1790
set-to1808
spree1811
fuddlea1813
screed1815
bust1834
lush1841
bender1846
bat1848
buster1848
burst1849
soak1851
binge1854
bumming1860
bust-out1861
bum1863
booze1864
drink1865
ran-tan1866
cupping1868
crawl1877
hellbender1877
break-away1885
periodical1886
jag1894
booze-up1897
slopping-up1899
souse1903
pub crawl1915
blind1917
beer-up1919
periodic1920
scoot1924
brannigan1927
rumba1934
boozeroo1943
sesh1943
session1943
piss-up1950
pink-eye1958
binge drinking1964
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > [noun] > incohesion > disaggregation or disintegration
unravelling1606
disgregation1611
disintegration1794
break-up1795
disaggregation1819
breaking-down1883
break-away1885
breakdown1928
1885 Times 4 June 10/3 After several breaks away the 12 competitors were despatched to an excellent start.
break-in n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > [noun] > violent
breakc1565
irruption1577
breach1578
breaking1617
inbreaking1652
inruption1809
inbreak1837
inburst1837
break-in1856
inbursting1858
incrash1861
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > continuity or uninterruptedness > discontinuity or interrupted condition > [noun] > a break in continuity
interruption1390
breach1589
hiatus1613
chasm1654
solution of continuity1654
gap1670
caesura1846
break-in1856
breakage1871
scission1884
time out1892
1856 E. K. Kane Arctic Explor. II. vii. 83 My joy at this first break-in upon its drudgery.
1903 Daily Chron. 10 Feb. 6/4 There was a further break-in of the river bank.
1944 Times 22 July 4/4 A successful break-in by the British..is never exploited by pursuit.
break-out n.
ΚΠ
1820 W. Scott Abbot II. xi. 345 They would be sure to make a break-out if the officers meddled with the auld popish witch-wife.
1870 Standard 12 Dec. On the break-out of the war.
1888 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Robbery under Arms I. xi. 128 He saw him once in one of his break-outs, and heard him boast of something he'd done.
1908 W. H. Koebel Anchorage 49 A break-out doesn't seem to oil your tongue to run any more'n usual.
1947 Ann. Reg. 1946 24 The Russian break-out from the Baranovo bridgehead.
1958 Economist 29 Nov. 764/1 Nothing is more important than a British breakout from the rigid positions of the cold war.
break-back n. a sudden backward movement (see also sense 5, and break-back adj. 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > [noun] > sudden
break-back1920
1920 Blackwood's Mag. Feb. 196/2 This ‘break-back’ of his had certainly been a brilliant achievement.
1960 E. S. Higham & W. J. Higham High Speed Rugby xvii. 239 If the scrum-half tries a blindside run, the flank will follow him round just far enough to make a break-back impossible.
C2. attributive.
break-lathe n. a lathe having a portion of its bed open or removable so as to admit work of larger diameter.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine tool > lathe > [noun] > with opening in bed
gap-lathe1879
break-lathe1883
gap-bed lathe1884
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 154/1 Break lathes..were made by Mr. (now Sir Joseph) Whitworth as long ago as 1840.
break-line n. Typography the last line of a paragraph.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printed matter > arrangement or appearance of printed matter > [noun] > distinct passage, beginning on new line > line at end of paragraph
break-line1683
widow1904
orphan1980
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 226 Nor do good Compositers account it good Workmanship to begin a Page with a Break-line.
1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. 163 Part of a word, or a complete word in a break line, if it contain no more than three or four letters, is improper.
1824 J. Johnson Typographia II. 90 To take a comprehensive view of the copy,..to notice..the number of break lines.
1967 Hart's Rules for Compositors (ed. 37) 56 Break-lines should consist of more than five letters, except in narrow measures.
Draft additions March 2008
Music (originally British). In plural = breakbeat n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > pop music > [noun] > other pop music
a cappella1905
soundclash1925
marabi1933
doo-wop1958
filk1959
folk-rock1963
Liverpool sound1963
Mersey beat1963
Mersey sound1963
surf music1963
malombo1964
mbaqanga1964
easy listening1965
disco music1966
Motown1966
boogaloo1967
power pop1967
psychedelia1967
yé-yé1967
agitpop1968
bubblegum1968
Tamla Motown1968
Tex-Mex1968
downtempo1969
taarab1969
thrash1969
world music1969
funk1970
MOR1970
tropicalism1970
Afrobeat1971
electro-pop1971
post-rock1971
techno-pop1971
Tropicalia1971
tropicalismo1971
disco1972
Krautrock1972
schlager1973
Afropop1974
punk funk1974
disco funk1975
Europop1976
mgqashiyo1976
P-funk1976
funkadelia1977
karaoke music1977
alternative music1978
hardcore1978
psychobilly1978
punkabilly1978
R&B1978
cowpunk1979
dangdut1979
hip-hop1979
Northern Soul1979
rap1979
rapping1979
jit1980
trance1980
benga1981
New Romanticism1981
post-punk1981
rap music1981
scratch1982
scratch-music1982
synth-pop1982
electro1983
garage1983
Latin1983
Philly1983
New Age1984
New Age music1985
ambient1986
Britpop1986
gangster rap1986
house1986
house music1986
mbalax1986
rai1986
trot1986
zouk1986
bhangra1987
garage1987
hip-house1987
new school1987
old school1987
thrashcore1987
acid1988
acid house1988
acid jazz1988
ambience1988
Cantopop1988
dance1988
deep house1988
industrial1988
swingbeat1988
techno1988
dream pop1989
gangsta rap1989
multiculti1989
new jack swing1989
noise-pop1989
rave1989
Tejano1989
breakbeat1990
chill-out music1990
indie1990
new jack1990
new jill swing1990
noisecore1990
baggy1991
drum and bass1991
gangsta1991
handbag house1991
hip-pop1991
loungecore1991
psychedelic trance1991
shoegazing1991
slowcore1991
techno-house1991
gabba1992
jungle1992
sadcore1992
UK garage1992
darkcore1993
dark side1993
electronica1993
G-funk1993
sampladelia1994
trip hop1994
break1996
psy-trance1996
nu skool1997
folktronica1999
dubstep2002
Bongo Flava2003
grime2003
Bongo2004
singeli2015
1996 A. Freeland (title of album) Coastal breaks.
2002 Herald Sun (Melbourne) (Nexis) 9 May 61 Sydney's Kid Kenobi guests at Lounge's breaks night.
2006 List (Glasgow & Edinb. Events Guide) 14 Dec. 57/2 A leftfield soundtrack of house..and breaks.
Draft additions March 2004
Tennis. An act of breaking an opponent's serve; a game won as receiver. More fully break of serve (also service). Cf. break v. 9d, service break n. at service n.1 Compounds 2.
ΚΠ
1952 Times 3 July 4/1 After an early break of service he reached 3–1 and very nearly 4–1, when Flam saved the game gloriously, winning five points running.
1971 W. Grimsley Tennis ii. vii. 76 He got the matching break in the seventh game, making the score 3-4, and held to tie it at 4-4.
1987 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 30 June d29 Pernfors, who said he plays his best tennis when he is behind, forced a fifth set, in which both players traded breaks and looked vulnerable.
2002 Birmingham Post (Electronic ed.) 20 June Only two points were then lost on serve until Voinea again made some unforced errors that gifted Rusedski a second break of serve and with it the first set 6–3.
Draft additions June 2007
Originally British. A holiday, esp. one of a short duration. Cf. city break at city n. Compounds 2.
ΚΠ
1958 Times 8 Nov. 9/6 (advt.) Doctors say that at a break at midwinter is the best preventive for nervous fatigue—and the accompanying colds—you can have.
1982 Financial Times 16 Jan. 7 The Board is producing a ‘let's go North West’ programme featuring two, three and five day bargain breaks during off-peak periods.
1991 J. Barnes Talking it Over viii. 105 We had a wonderful weekend break. Headed off down the motorway from Calais.
2003 State (Columbia, S. Carolina) (Nexis) 9 June d1 Vacations can be expensive and a chore. They don't have to be. But a great, cheap break does require a little bit of work.
Draft additions December 2016
Surfing. A place where people surf; a surf spot.Earliest in surfing break.
ΚΠ
1966 Richardson (Texas) Daily News 11 July 3/1 The names of the surfing breaks are synonomous [sic] with danger: Waimea Bay..: Sunset Beach [etc.].
1977 Independent-Jrnl. (San Rafael, Calif.) 24 Dec. 24/6 There were three breaks, or surfing areas at Bolinas.
1994 Action Asia Aug. 75 One of the more remarkable surfing discoveries in recent decades was Lagundi Bay, a break on a remote island that offers one of the ultimate tuberiding experience.
2014 Mabuhay Mar. 27/1 Bali's classic attractions do endure, from dolphin spotting..to surfing some of Asia's most popular breaks off the southern Bukit Peninsula.
Draft additions December 2016
Chiefly Surfing. A place in the sea where waves break.
ΚΠ
1940 L. MacNeice Last Ditch 6 All night the bay is plashing and the moon Marks the break of the waves.
1962 T. Masters Surfing made Easy 65 Outside, out past the breaking waves, or at the furthest break.
1991 A. Martin Walking on Water (1992) 211 Line-up: the waiting zone just beyond the break where surfers queue for waves.
2011 F. Parrett Past the Shallows (2012) 218 With one big dig they were on the summit, the hump. He heard the wave snap and roar behind him but didn't look back. They had made it past the break.
Draft additions June 2017
break-back n. Tennis the action or an act of breaking an opponent's serve after losing one's own serve earlier in the set.
ΚΠ
1955 Irish Times 16 July 3/7 Jackson fought hard to secure the break back after Egan had saved three game points.
1982 Times of India 24 Nov. 13/6 Two trouble-free patches gave him two break-backs and parity, at four-all.
2016 Advocate (Burnie, Tasmania) (Nexis) 22 Jan. 60 There was no break-back as Ferrer held on before serving out a two-sets-to-love lead.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
breakn.2
1. A large carriage-frame (having two or four wheels) with no body, used for breaking in young horses.
ΘΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > [noun] > for breaking young horses
break1831
1831 J. C. Loudon Encycl. Agric. (ed. 2) 1002 The training of coach-horses commences with..driving in a break or four-wheeled frame.
1865 Derby Mercury 1 Mar. A horse-breaker's drag, or break, with two horses harnessed to it.
2. A large wagonette.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > carriage for conveying persons > [noun] > types of carriage > wagonette or break
break1856
wagonette1858
shooting phaeton1890
1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. xxvi. 285 Norman's fate conveyed him to the exalted seat beside the driver of the break.
1874 M. A. Barker Station Life N.Z. iv. 23 In their comfortable and large break with four horses.
1882 Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 9 iii. 451 A brake and four conveying a large party.
1884 Princess Alice Mem. 72 Louis drove me and his two brothers in a break.
1885 Manch. Examiner 23 Apr. 5/2 The large brakes which convey pleasure-seekers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
breakv.
/breɪk/, U.S. /breɪk//brəʊk/. Past participle broken /ˈbrəʊk(ə)n/, broke. Forms: Old English brecan (Northumbrian brican), Middle English breken, Middle English–1500s breke, 1500s–1600s breake, 1500s– break; (also Middle English breoken, Middle English brec, Middle English brek, Middle English breek, Middle English brakyn, byrkyn, 1500s Scottish brek, breik, 1600s breack). past tense singular Old English–Middle English bræc, Middle English brac, ( Orm. bracc), Middle English (& 1500s Scottish) brak, Middle English– (Scottish) brack; also Middle English brec, Middle English breac, Middle English brek, breck, Middle English breek, breke, 1500s breake, Middle English–1700s brake; plural Old English brǽcon, (Middle English breaken, breoken), Middle English breken, Middle English breke, Middle English breeken; also Middle English braken, (Middle English northern brak, Middle English brac, Middle English– brack); singular and plural Middle English–1500s (1600s–1800s archaic) brake, 1500s– broke, (1500s brooke, 1600s broak). past participle Old English brocen, Middle English ibroken, Middle English– broken, (Middle English brokun, brokyn, Middle English y-broke), Middle English– broke, (1600s broak, brake, 1700s Scottish breaken).Many of the uses of this verb are so contextual, that it is difficult, if not impossible, to find places for them in a general scheme of its signification: when not found here, they may be sought under other words of the phrase.
I. To sever into distinct parts by sudden application of force, to part by violence. Often with an adjunct indicating result, as in to break asunder, in pieces, small. See also to break up at Phrasal verbs.
1.
a. transitive generally.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (transitive)]
breaka1000
forbreakc1000
shenec1000
burstc1250
disquattec1380
brasta1400
stonyc1440
to strike up1467
dirupt1548
unframe1548
disrump1581
split1597
crack1608
snap1679
fracture1767
disrupt1817
snop1849
a1000 Psalm ii. 9 (Spelm.) Swa swa fæt tigelen ðu bricst hi.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 79 Me brekeð þe nute for to habbene þene curnel.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. xx. 125 The thynge that is kytte and broke bi the foreteeth.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6542 Þe tables þat in hand he bare To pees he þam brak right þar.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 49 Brakyn a-sunder cordys and ropis.
?1520 J. Rastell Nature .iiii. Element sig. E.viij Iak boy is thy bowe I broke.
1589 W. Warner Albions Eng. (new ed.) v. xxviii. 122 Spurres hewen off the heeles, and Swords broke ouer head.
1601 Bp. W. Barlow Serm. Paules Crosse Martij 1600 17 A threefold rope is not easily broken.
1652 Severall Proc. Parl. No. 136. 2130 His Coach was broke to peeces.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 123 He should not have broke my line by running to the Rods end. View more context for this quotation
1700 R. Blackmore Paraphr. Job xvi. 70 All my Members were in pieces broke.
1710 Tatler No. 222 A natural Inclination to break Windows.
1799 tr. Laboratory (ed. 6) II. x. 261 He [sc. the fish] will certainly break you, as we term it (that is, snap your line) and make his escape.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles vi. xvi. 243 I've broke my trusty battle-axe.
b. intransitive for reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (intransitive)]
burstc1000
breakc1175
rendc1275
cracka1400
perbreak?a1400
crazec1430
twinc1450
frush1489
to fall apart1761
fracture1885
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 83 Þet gles ne brekeð.
c1230 Hali Meid. 15 Þat hit ne breke ne beie.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4389 He drou, sco held, þe tassel brak.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. ii. 13 Thei breken for dryenesse, whan Men meven hem.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Niiiiv Anone it breketh, and so shedeth the wyne.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. v. 23 If both [points] breake, your gaskins fall. View more context for this quotation
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. §17. 317 The glacier was evidently breaking beneath our feet.
2. In various spec. uses:† a. To rend or tear (cloth, paper). (See also broken adj.)‘Still in s.w. dial.’ ( N.E.D.)† c. To comb (wool) roughly, being the first process in carding. Obsolete or archaic.† d. To wreck (a ship). Obsolete.† f. To dissolve (parliament), disband (a regiment). Obsolete; cf. to break up at Phrasal verbs.† g. intransitive (for reflexive). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > tearing or tearing apart > tear [verb (transitive)] > tear paper or cloth, or make ragged
breakOE
rive1415
to-ragc1430
raga1603
shred1613
to rip up1891
OE Beowulf 1511 Saedeor monig hildetuxum heresyrcan bræc.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John xxi. 11 The nett..ful of grete fischis..the nett is not brokun.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) i. 37 There had you seen many a gowne torne and broken.
1516 T. Allen in E. Lodge Illustr. Brit. Hist. (1838) I. 23 After the sight thereof, your Lordship should break or burn it [the letter].
1690–1700 Order of Hospitalls sig. Gii Mending of such [sheets, etc.] as shalbe broken from time to time.
b. To cut up (a deer); to tear in pieces (a fox), also with up; to carve (a fowl), also with out, up (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > cut up game
breakc1330
defeatc1425
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > preparation of meat > dress animals for food [verb (transitive)] > cut up deer
brittlea1300
attirec1330
breakc1330
brittenc1400
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > preparation for table or cooking > preparation of fowls > prepare fowls [verb (transitive)] > carve
breakc1330
frushc1430
spoilc1440
enlacea1475
thigh?1478
breast1486
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 452 Bestes þai brac and bare.
1508 Bk. Keruynge (de Worde) sig. B.iv Breke that egryt.
1508 Bk. Keruynge (de Worde) sig. B.ii Take the capon by the legges..& breke hym out.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost iv. i. 56 Boyet you can carue, Breake vp this Capon. View more context for this quotation
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake iv.148 Raven..watching while the deer is broke.
1875 F. T. Buckland Log-bk. Fisherman 155 Like hounds breaking up a fox.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > treating or processing textile materials > treating or processing wool > treat or process wool [verb (transitive)] > comb or tease
break1511
touse1599
carminate1604
tum1615
scribble1681
stock-card1728
straighten1886
1511–12 Act 3 Hen. VIII vi. §1 Every Clothier..which shall..delyver to eny persone eny Wolle to breke, kembe, carde, or spynne.
1514 Act 6 Hen. VIII ix. §1 The Breaker or Kember to deliver again..the same Wooll so broken and kembed.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > shipwreck > cause to suffer shipwreck [verb (transitive)] > wreck a vessel
break1382
score1504
wrack1562
wreck1576
throw1577
to cast away1600
shipwreck1624
pile1891
society > travel > travel by water > shipwreck > cause to suffer shipwreck [verb (transitive)] > cause to break up
break1382
split1597
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) 1 Kings xxii. 48 Thei ben broken in Aziongober [1611 Bible The shippes were broken at Ezion Geber].
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 529 Ane schip..wes brokin on ane sand.
1564 T. Palfreyman Baldwin's Treat. Moral Philos. (new ed.) xi. i. f. 192 Whan the ship is broken, [they] maie swimme and scape.
1611 Bible (King James) Jonah i. 4 The ship was like to be broken . View more context for this quotation
e. To destroy the completeness of; to take away a part from; to divide, part (a set of things). spec. to change (a banknote or the like). to break with: to divide and share with. Cf. to break bulk at Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > separate into constituents [verb (transitive)] > split up the components of a set
break1740
the mind > possession > giving > distributing or dealing out > distribute or deal out [verb (transitive)] > divide into shares > and give to others and oneself
divide1526
compart1575
to break with1821
divvy1877
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xvii. 39 You should give them [sc. 4 guineas] back again to your Master; and yet I have broke them.
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (at cited word) To Break a Bottle: to open a full bottle; especially when it is meant only to take out part of its contents.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 67 My last-earn'd sixpence will I break with thee.
1844 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit xliii. 494 It was the same note; he hadn't broken it.
1855 M. M. Thompson Doesticks vi. 44 ‘I had no further change,’ so was necessitated to get a bill broke.
1880 W. H. Patterson Gloss. Words Antrim & Down 12 Can you break that pound note for me?
a1888 Mod. The shopkeeper would not break the set.
1959 N. Mailer Advts. for Myself (1961) 81 He stretched himself out,..thinking..of the thrill of breaking a five-dollar bill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > a company or assembly
dissever1393
parta1400
skaila1400
to break up1483
disassemble1550
dismiss1582
disband1591
unflock1611
revoke1675
break1685
bust1855
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > separation or isolation > separate or isolate [verb (transitive)] > dissolve or break up
to part companya1400
to break up1483
disband1591
break1685
1685 London Gaz. No. 1997/2 The Regiments he brought into the Emperors Service are broken.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 460 The Earl of Danby's prosecution was the point on which the Parliament was broken.
1763 Brit. Mag. 4 106 Lord Robert Sutton's regiment..having refused to be broke.
1788 J. Priestley Lect. Hist. v. xl. 291 The Grand Seignior can neither touch the public treasure, [nor] break the Janizaries.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military operations > distribution of troops > [verb (intransitive)] > disband
disband1598
breaka1616
disbandon1640
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) iv. iv. 11 The Army breaking, My husband hies him home. View more context for this quotation
Categories »
h. Music. To break a chord n.2, a note n.2
i. In leather manufacture, to scrape a skin smooth and clean on the flesh side.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with skins > work with skins [verb (transitive)] > other processes
curry14..
shave1467
dress1511
slaughter1603
raise1607
scutch1688
chamois1728
braya1835
break1842
fellmonger1843
fire-cure1848
crimp1849
board1860
pebble1862
soft-board1878
sam1883
stock1883
nourish1884
buff1885
pinwheel1885
sammy1885
wheel1885
unlime1888
1842 Penny Mag. 11 215/2 The lamb-skins having been steeped in water, ‘broken’ on the flesh side, and drained.
1845 G. Dodd Brit. Manuf. 5th Ser. 187 The goat-skins are..soaked in water.. to soften them, and then undergo the process of ‘breaking’.
j. Phonetics. To cause breaking (breaking n. 1e) of (a vowel). Also intransitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > sound changes > [verb (intransitive)] > fracture
break1845
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > sound changes > [verb (transitive)] > fracture
break1845
fracture1889
1845 J. M. Kemble in Proc. Philol. Soc. II. 135 Not satisfied with transforming i into ë, before h, l, m, it [sc. Anglo-Saxon] broke the vowel into ëo.
1871 F. A. March Compar. Gram. Anglo-Saxon Lang. i. 11 Before a consonant combination beginning with l, r, h, it [sc. a] breaks to ea.
1871 F. A. March Compar. Gram. Anglo-Saxon Lang. i. 20 l, r, h, oftenest before a consonant, break foregoing a to ea.
1959 A. Campbell Old Eng. Gram. v. 56 æ was broken, and appears as ea..before r followed by a consonant.
k. to break the wicket (Cricket): to dislodge a bail or the bails in stumping or running out a batter.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > dismissal of batsman > put out [verb (transitive)] > knock down wicket
to put down1727
rip1831
to throw down1833
take1836
rattle1840
spreadeagle1868
to break the wicket1875
1875 F. Gale in Baily's Mag. Sept. 274 He took her [sc. the ball] close to the bails and just broke the wicket.
1901 Strand Mag. June 616/1 The ball was thrown in from the field, the bowler took it, and broke the wicket, so as to run the batsman out.
l. (See quot. 1889.) originally U.S.
ΚΠ
1889 Cent. Dict. (at cited word) To break a gun, to open it by the action.
1956 M. Procter Pub Crawler 125 With the casual ease of long practise he ‘broke’ the gun and ejected the six rounds.
3. In phrases: to break bread: see bread n. Phrases 1a to break a lance with: to enter the lists against, enter into competition with. to break blows, words with: to exchange blows, words with. †to break a straw with: to fall out with (humorous).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > fight with [verb (transitive)]
fightOE
strugglec1386
wrestle1398
cope witha1467
undertake1470
to set one's foot by1536
skirmc1540
make1542
to break blows, words with1589
combata1592
to take up1600
warsle1606
stoush1924
society > society and the community > dissent > contention or strife > carry on (a contest, fight, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > contend with
warc1230
to gripe with1377
repugnc1384
wrestle1398
stema1400
befight1474
vary1496
to break a lance with1589
mud-wrestle1988
society > society and the community > dissent > quarrel or quarrelling > quarrel with [verb (transitive)] > engage in a quarrel with
yoke1581
to break blows, words with1589
the mind > emotion > hatred > quarrel or falling out > quarrel or fall at variance [verb (intransitive)] > fall out or enter conflict with
to break a straw with1603
society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > compete with [verb (transitive)]
couple1477
envy1509
contend1577
counterscore1577
paragona1586
corrive1586
emulate1586
emule1595
corrival1601
vie1602
rival1607
vie1607
contesta1616
antagonize1634
cope with1651
to break a lance with1862
971 Blickl. Hom. 37 Brec þinne hlaf þearfendum mannum.
1589 R. Greene Menaphon sig. K3 Breaking a few quarter blowes with such countrey glaunces as they coulde.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. iii. viii. 554 I shall breake a strawe or fall at oddes with him, that keepes himselfe so alofte.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iii. v. 10 Breake a Launce, and runne a-Tilt at Death. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. i. 76 A man may breake a word with you [printed your] sir, and words are but winde. View more context for this quotation
1862 G. W. Thornbury Life J. M. W. Turner I. 263 In 1800 Turner entered classical ground to break a lance with Claude.
4. transitive and intransitive. To burst. Of an abscess or boil: To burst the surface, so that the contents escape. Sometimes also of a vein, blood vessel, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > suppuration > suppurate [verb (intransitive)] > burst
burstc1000
break1398
apostatize1651
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > suppuration > cause suppuration [verb (transitive)] > burst
break1557
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) vii. xxi. 239 Yf the postume of the eere be broke it is knowe by rennynge of quytter.
1541 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) 38 A boyle or impostume comen forthe and broken.
1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes (1582) 452 b They brake the vaines of their hands and feete, and offered the bloud thereof.
1593 W. Shakespeare Venus & Adonis sig. Dv The berrie breakes before it staineth. View more context for this quotation
1596 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent (rev. ed.) 452 As the euill humor (..gathered to a boyle, or head) will easily breake.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. iv. 9 + 19 This is th' Imposthume of much wealth and peace, That inward breakes.
1652 N. Culpeper Eng. Physitian Enlarged 17 Laid warm on a Boil [it] will ripen and break it.
1711 London Gaz. No. 4894/2 Most of their Bombs break before they fall.
1803 R. Reece Domest. Med. Guide 158 Boils... After they break they require only to be kept clean.
5. Said in reference to the rupture of a surface:
a. To part or lay open the surface of (anything), as of land (by ploughing, etc.). Also to break up 6 at Phrasal verbs: and see to break ground at Phrases 3.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)]
eareOE
till1377
plough1423
break1499
sheugh1513
ayrec1540
to break up1557
furrow1576
spit1648
whelm1652
manage1655
hack1732
thorough1733
to plough in1764
rout1836
1499 Promptorium Parvulorum 49 Breken claddis, occo.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Hi Our soyle or lande is our hertes, which we..breke with the plough of abstinence.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Break land with a plough, obfringo.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals viii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 38 Verse breaks the Ground, and penetrates the Brake.
1813 Ld. Byron Giaour 1 No breath of air to break the wave.
1847 H. W. Longfellow Evangeline i. ii. 114 The merry lads..breaking the glebe round about.
b. To crack or rupture (the skin); to graze, bruise, wound, as in phrase to break one's head. to break Priscian's head: to violate the rules of grammar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > injury > injure [verb (transitive)] > wound
woundc760
breakc1175
hurt1297
sorea1400
bewound?1567
vuln1583
vulnerate1599
gugg1633
sauciate1645
plunk1888
traumatize1903
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 83 Ȝef he hefde on his moder ibroken hire meidenhad.
c1305 Jud. Iscariot 50 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 108 Children..he wolde smyte, And breke here armes and here heued.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) x. 256 Atte the fallyng that he made, he brake all his browes.
1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. iii. 40 Euen the day before shee brake her brow. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) ii. i. 77 Backe slaue, or I will breake thy pate a-crosse. View more context for this quotation
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 161. ¶3 A Ring of Cudgel-Players..breaking one another's Heads.
1785 R. Cumberland Observer No. 22. §6 Observe how this..orator breaks poor Priscian's head for the good of his country.
1883 Daily Tel. 10 July 5/4 Does Shakespeare never break Priscian's head?
c. intransitive. Of the surface of water: to present a broken appearance, caused by water-bloom (see quots. and breaking n. 2c). dialect.
ΚΠ
1873 G. C. Davies Mountain, Meadow & Mere 16 The Ellesmere water..breaks. Every summer..the water becomes full of some matter held in suspension... The other meres do not break to such an extent.
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire Bar-mere's bin breekin' this afternoon.
6. intransitive. To crack without complete separation. Formerly said of a bell; hence possibly, from the similarity of the sound emitted, of a boy's voice on reaching the age of puberty.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (intransitive)] > crack, split, or cleave
chinea700
to-chinec725
cleavea1225
to-cleavec1275
rivec1330
to-slentc1380
to-sundera1393
cracka1400
rifta1400
chapc1420
crevec1450
break1486
slave?1523
chink1552
chop1576
coame1577
cone1584
slat1607
cleft1610
splita1625
checka1642
chicka1642
flaw1648
shale1712
vent1721
spalt1731
star1842
seam1880
tetter1911
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [verb (intransitive)] > break (of boy's voice)
changea1398
break1667
crack1893
1486 Bk. St. Albans D iij That thay [the bells on a hawk's neck] be hoole and not brokyn and specialli in the sowndyng place.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 21 Aug. (1974) VIII. 393 This morning came two of Captain Cookes boys, whose voices are broke and are gone from the Chapel.
1706 A. Bedford Temple Musick ix. 172 Lads, when their Voices did Break, or Alter.
1880 in Grove Dict. Music I. 703/2 His voice began to break.
II. With regard chiefly to the state or condition produced: to break so as to disable, destroy cohesion, solidity, or firmness, crush, shatter.
7.
a. transitive. To crush, shatter (e.g. a bone). to break the leg or arm: i.e. the bones of the limb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > pressing, pressure, or squeezing > press or squeeze [verb (transitive)] > crush
breakc900
to-bruisec1000
swatchea1300
to-gnidea1300
defoulc1300
to-crushc1300
thring13..
squatcha1325
to-squatc1325
oppressa1382
crush?a1400
thronga1400
dequassc1400
birzec1425
crazec1430
frayc1460
defroysse1480
to-quashc1480
croose1567
pletter1598
becrush1609
mortify1609
winder1610
crackle1611
quest1647
scrouge1755
grush1827
jam1832
roll1886
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders of bones > have bone disorder [verb (intransitive)] > fracture
to break the leg or arm1836
c900 tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (1890) v. vi. 400 Se ðuma gebrocen wæs.
a1000 West Saxon Gospels: John (Corpus Cambr.) xix. 32 [Hi] bræcon ærest ðæs sceancan þe mid him ahangen wæs.
a1225 Juliana 49 Ich habbe..ibroken ham þe schuldren & te schonken.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Exod. ix. 25 Eche treo of the cuntree it [the hail] breke togidere.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 21145 A wicked iuu..him brac his harn panne.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xvi. 187 I shuld with this steyll brand Byrkyn all his bonys.
1555 R. Eden Two Viages into Guinea in tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 355 The elephant..with the poyse of his body breaketh hym.
1759 J. Mills tr. H. L. Duhamel du Monceau Pract. Treat. Husbandry i. xvi. 105 When the distempered grain is broke.
1836 F. Marryat Mr. Midshipman Easy III. vii. 130 Break my leg!—break my leave, you mean?
b. to break on the wheel: to bind a criminal to a wheel, or similar frame, and break his limbs, or beat him to death; so †to break on the torture: to put to the torture, dislocate on the rack, etc. to break one's back or neck: to dislocate the bones of the back or neck; also figurative to overpower, render nugatory, crush. to break the neck of a journey, a piece of business, etc.: to get through the most serious part of it. to break the back of a ship: to break the keel and keelson, dislocate the framework of the centre, so that the two ends tend to fall apart.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders of joints > have disorder of joints [verb (intransitive)] > dislocate
to break one's back or necka1400
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery, superiority, or advantage [verb (intransitive)] > defeat completely
to break one's back or neck1579
to be too many for1692
to do for ——1740
to cook (rarely do) one's goose1835
to fix (another's) flint1836
to cut the ground from under one (or one's feet)1855
society > authority > punishment > torture > [verb (transitive)] > on the rack
spread?c1225
fordrawc1380
enginec1405
rack?a1439
stentc1480
streekc1480
draw1481
brake1530
excarnificate1570
excruciate1570
stretch1585
to break on the torture1598
distend1599
tenter1615
tousea1616
tympanize1647
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > become weary or exhausted [verb (intransitive)] > exhaust one's strength or energy
to break one's back or necka1616
to melt one's grease1645
break1726
to run out of steam1836
to overdo it1853
to peg out1887
society > authority > punishment > torture > [verb (transitive)] > on wheel
stentc1480
wheel1611
to break on the wheela1640
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 22202 Ouer hogh to lepe his hals to brek.
c1400 Gamelyn 712 I ne hadde broke his nekke, tho I his rigge brak.
1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin vii. 378 To breake the necke of the wicked purposes & plots of the French.
1586 W. Warner Albions Eng. ii. x. 42 Her good-man..kindly bad her breake her necke, olde Iade.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales xi. vii. 148 Being broken on the torture, he confessed nothing.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. i. 26 I had rather cracke my sinewes, breake my backe, Then you should such dishonor vndergoe. View more context for this quotation
a1640 P. Massinger & J. Fletcher Very Woman v. iv. 152 in P. Massinger 3 New Playes (1655) Rack him first, and after break him Upon the wheel.
1690 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) II. 147 A Dutch man of war..run upon the sands and broke her back.
1734 A. Pope Epist. to Arbuthnot 304 Who breaks a Butterfly upon a Wheel?
1864 Times 24 Dec. The..delusion that a single campaign would ‘break the neck of the rebellion’.
1878 J. Morley Diderot I. 201 A country where youths were broken on the wheel for levity in face of an ecclesiastical procession.
c. Of the heart: to become overcome with sorrow. Cf. to break a person's heart at heart n., int., and adv. Phrases 3a(a).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > broken-heartedness > break (of the heart) [verb (intransitive)]
burst?c1225
breakc1405
rivea1425
screevec1450
the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > broken-heartedness > break (the heart) [verb (transitive)]
breakc1405
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 96 Hym thoughte þt his herte wolde breke.
?1606 M. Drayton Eglog x, in Poemes sig. G9 Thou with thine age, my hart with sorow broke.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. iii. 211 The griefe that do's not speake, Whispers the o're-fraught heart, and bids it breake . View more context for this quotation
1832 Ld. Tennyson Œnone in Poems (new ed.) 52 My heart is breaking and my eyes are dim.
d. Cricket. to break one's duck('s egg): to score one's first run in an innings, thus avoiding a ‘duck’ (duck n.1 7).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > batting > bat [verb (intransitive)] > score one's first run
to break one's duck('s egg)1867
1867 G. H. Selkirk Guide to Cricket Ground ii. 26 If he makes one run he has ‘broken his duck's egg’.
1900 W. A. Bettesworth Walkers of Southgate 19 Parr broke his duck, but could get no further, being bowled by Atkinson for one run.
1912 A. Brazil New Girl at St. Chad's vii. 112 Her first ball, being a wide, served to increase the confidence Honor had felt in breaking her duck.
8. † a. To dissolve (anything hard or coherent).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > condition of matter > bad condition of matter > cause bad condition in [verb (transitive)] > cause to decompose, crumble, or melt away
dissolvec1384
consume1585
break1597
moulder1603
moulter1636
discoagulatea1658
open1686
disintegrate1794
decompose1841
1597 W. Langham Garden of Health 81 The herbe boyled or drunke rawe with Wine breaketh the stone.
a1665 K. Digby Closet Opened (1669) 110 Set them [honey and water] over so gentle a fire, as you might endure to break it in the water with your hand.
b. intransitive. To dissolve, relax. As said of a frost there may be some admixture of the notion of a break of continuity (branch V). Also of weather: to change suddenly, esp. after a long settled period. Cf. sense to break up 8 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of things, actions, or processes
restOE
leathc1275
stintc1275
slakea1300
ceasec1374
slocka1400
batec1400
lissec1400
stanchc1420
surcease1439
remain1480
stopa1529
break1530
decease1538
falla1555
to shut up1609
subside1654
drop1697
low1790
to go out1850
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > [verb (intransitive)] > change
to break up1544
break1887
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 754/2 It thaweth, as the weather dothe, whan the frost breaketh.
1577 R. Holinshed Hist. Scotl. 191/1 in Chron. I The frost brake, and the snowes melted.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 374 His cough breaketh more and more.
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 9 Or if they shoud, their Interest soon would break.
1768 W. Watson in Philos. Trans. 1767 (Royal Soc.) 57 444 On the next day..the frost broke.
1887 W. B. Yeats Lett. (1954) i. 51 The weather breaking might send me off any time, as my uncle stops here only so long as it is fine.
1930 W. S. Maugham Cakes & Ale viii. 91 The weather broke suddenly.
c. Of prices of commodities, stocks, etc.: to fall suddenly or sharply. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [verb (intransitive)] > decline in price or fall > suddenly or rapidly
break1870
plunge1870
tumble1886
slump1888
skid1976
1870 W. W. Fowler Ten Years in Wall St. 435 Gold had broken to 87, and then..ran up to 194.
1899 Daily News 15 May 2/6 Under the influence of Mr. Flower's death, what are known as Flower stocks broke in overwhelming volume.
1929 Times 30 Oct. 14/1 Prices broke far below the previous low levels of the year.
9.
a. transitive. To demolish, smash, destroy, ruin; to defeat, foil, frustrate (things material or immaterial); esp. to defeat the object of (a strike) by engaging other workers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > overcome or overwhelm > completely or overthrow > specifically a thing
allayOE
vanquishc1380
breaka1400
quealc1530
quail1533
ruin1585
to wrestle down?1611
to take down1889
to beat down-
society > occupation and work > working > labour relations > participate in labour relations [verb (transitive)] > summon (workers) to strike > break (strike)
break1905
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 12018 A prist sun..Thoru envie and wreth and tene brack þe lackes al bi-dene.
1513 T. More Hist. Edward V (1641) 13 Each laboureth to breake that the other maketh.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxxxviii [ix]. 10 Thou breakest the proude, like one that is wounded.
1678 N. Wanley Wonders Little World v. i. §103. 468/2 Ferdinand the third..broke the Great power of the Swedes.
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 238 The Number of them broke all my Measures.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) IV. xvii. 47 Their moral force was utterly broken.
1905 [implied in: Daily Chron. 4 May The strikers made repeated attacks on the ‘strike-breakers’. (at strike-breaker n. at strike n.1 Compounds 2)].
1914 Round Table Mar. 367 The farmers contributed the bulk of the power that..broke the strike.
b. To nullify or set aside (a will) by legal methods.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > illegality > render illegal [verb (transitive)] > deprive of legal validity
abatea1325
squatcha1325
voida1325
allayc1325
annul1395
reverse1395
revokec1400
rupt?a1425
repealc1425
abroge1427
defeat1429
purloin1461
cassa1464
toll1467
resume1472
reprove1479
suspend1488
discharge1495
reduce1498
cassate1512
defease1512
denulla1513
disannula1513
fordoa1513
avoid1514–5
abrogate?1520
frustrate1528
revert1528
disaffirm?1530
extinct1530
resolve1537
null1538
nihilate1545
extinguish1548
elidec1554
revocate1564
annullate1570
squat1577
skaila1583
irritate1605
retex1606
nullify1607
unable1611
refix1621
vitiate1627
invalid1643
vacate1643
unlaw1644
outlaw1647
invalidate1649
disenact1651
vacuate1654
supersedec1674
destroy1805
break1891
1891 Argus (Melbourne) 12 Dec. 11/8 [New York.] Under the law [she] would be entitled to one-half of the estate, should the will be broken.
c. To better (a record, a score, etc.). Also in Financial and Stock Exchange jargon, = breach v. 1b. (See record n.1 6a.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > advancement or progress > outdoing or surpassing > outdo or surpass [verb (transitive)] > surpass what has been done or exists > set a record > beat a record
to break (also beat) the record1880
break1909
crack1953
society > trade and finance > stocks and shares > deal in stocks and shares [verb (transitive)] > performance of shares or prices
breach1547
shed1947
break1964
split1967
underperform1975
1886 Pall Mall Gaz. 10 July 6/1 This Henley Regatta has been a record-breaking one.
1909 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) He broke the record for the high jump.
1955 F. Brown Angels & Spaceships 171 Up to that hole he [sc. a golfer] had an excellent chance to break a hundred.
1959 Economist 21 Feb. 705/2 There is now a firm conviction that the [Dow-Jones industrial] average will break through 650 this year.]
1964 G. W. Cooke Stock Markets xxv. 339 Both averages continued the rise in October 1962, and the industrial broke its previous high in September 1963. The rail average broke above its 1959 and 1961 highs.
1981 Times 25 Apr. 19/5 The index failed to break the 600 level.
1984 Financial Times 28 Feb. iv. p. vi/2 The Tokyo Stock Exchanges got off to a good start this year with the Dow Jones index breaking the historical yen 10,000 mark for the first time in early January.
d. To win against (an opponent's service) in lawn tennis or a similar game. Also intransitive or with through.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > lawn tennis > play tennis [verb (intransitive)] > break service
break1959
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > racket games > lawn tennis > play tennis [verb (transitive)] > break service
break1959
1959 Times 2 July 3/1 Mackay saved his next game, broke to 8–7 in an uproar, and served out heroically for the set.
1959 Times 4 July 3/7 He broke service in the first game.
1961 Times 4 July 4/1 True, Wilson..did break for 2–4 and then move to 3–4.
1964 Observer 1 Nov. 19/1 Sangster broke service in the ninth game and went on to win 6–4.
1964 Observer 1 Nov. 19/1 Sangster broke through Bungert's service in the fifth game.
e. To disprove (an alibi).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > refutation, disproof > refute, disprove [verb (transitive)] > by proving error or weakness > of alibi
break1932
1932 D. L. Sayers Have his Carcase xxv. 338 I'll break that alibi if I die for it.
1961 ‘N. Blake’ Worm of Death ix. 128 He had just seen an apparently broken alibi rendered intact again by a few words.
1984 Daily Tel. 22 June 12/3 Parry, however, had had an alibi which Mr Wilkes is confident that he has broken.
10. transitive. To shiver or dash in pieces a wave, billow, or moving mass of water, as a rock or other obstacle does; also intransitive said of waves, etc. when they dash against an obstacle, or topple over and become surf or ‘broken water’ in the shallows. (But in the ‘breaking’ of waves, the sea, etc., various other senses are often combined: see the quots.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > movement of waves > move restlessly about [verb (intransitive)] > dash in pieces
aflasha1387
break1489
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > wave > movement of waves > [verb (transitive)] > dash in pieces
break1796
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) iii. 699 Wawys wyd wycht brekand war.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. K3 Their [sc. the waves] rankes began To breake vppon the galled shore. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 108 About him, and above, the Billows broke . View more context for this quotation
1725 A. Pope Ess. Homer in Poems (1967) VII. 49 That tumult in the Icarian sea, dashing and breaking among its crowd of islands.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc viii. 306 Some huge promontory whose broad base Breaks the rough wave; the shiver'd surge rolls back.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Break, break, break On thy cold gray stones O Sea!
1860 Mercantile Marine Mag. 7 259 In heavy..weather Point Pinos breaks the swell.
11.
a. To ruin financially, make bankrupt (a person or bank). to break the bank: formerly also in the sense ‘to become bankrupt’.To break the bank, in Gambling means to clear out the amount of money which the proprietor of the gaming table has before him: see bank n.3 5.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > insolvency > [verb (intransitive)] > become bankrupt
to play (the) bankrupt1548
bankrupt1552
to take Ludgate1585
break1600
to go down the weather1611
to break the bank1623
to go to the right shop1655
to swallow a spider1670
to march off1683
to go off1688
to break up shop1712
bust1834
burst1848
to go up King Street1864
to go bust1875
to go under1882
to belly up1886
society > trade and finance > management of money > insolvency > [verb (transitive)] > bankrupt
craze1573
break1623
bankrupt?a1625
burst1712
to strike a docket1809
bust1827
smash1857
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > play games of chance [verb (intransitive)] > break bank
to break the bank1850
1623 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. VII. O.T. xix. 399 The holiest man may bee deepe in arerages; and breake the banke.
1660 R. Stapleton tr. Juvenal Mores Hominum vii. 232 Meer expence in paper breaks you all.
1703 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion II. vii. 330 The necessities of the Army still pressed us..to break the Merchants here.
1705 N. Tate Triumph 4 Britain's Gen'ral came..and broke the Bank of Fame.
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. xviii. 177 He had seen his friend..break the bank three nights running at Paris.
b. intransitive (for reflexive). To become bankrupt, to ‘fail’ (commercially). Now less usual.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > management of money > insolvency > [verb (intransitive)] > become bankrupt
to play (the) bankrupt1548
bankrupt1552
to take Ludgate1585
break1600
to go down the weather1611
to break the bank1623
to go to the right shop1655
to swallow a spider1670
to march off1683
to go off1688
to break up shop1712
bust1834
burst1848
to go up King Street1864
to go bust1875
to go under1882
to belly up1886
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. i. 107 He cannot choose but breake . View more context for this quotation
1662 S. Pepys Diary 19 Jan. (1970) III. 13 Our Merchants here in London do daily break.
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. iii. 208 By which some glorious Feats atchieve, As Citizens, by breaking, thrive.
1793 Ld. Spencer in Ld. Auckland's Corr. (1862) III. 82 Hutchinson is going to break, and to show the world that honesty is the best policy.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits v. 89 In trade, the Englishman believes that nobody breaks who ought not to break.
1879 H. George Progress & Poverty v. i. 250 A bank breaks..and on every side workmen are discharged.
12. † b. So to break one's brain, mind, wind (cf. broken-winded adj.). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To crush the strength of, wear out, exhaust; to weary, impair, in health or strength.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > weary or exhaust [verb (transitive)]
wearyc897
tirea1000
travailc1300
forwearya1325
taryc1375
tarc1440
matec1450
break1483
labour1496
overwearya1500
wear?1507
to wear out, forth1525
fatigate1535
stress1540
overtire1558
forwaste1563
to tire out1563
overwear1578
spend1582
out-tire1596
outwear1596
outweary1596
overspend1596
to toil out1596
attediate1603
bejade1620
lassate1623
harassa1626
overtask1628
tax1672
hag1674
trash1685
hatter1687
overtax1692
fatigue1693
to knock up1740
tire to death1740
overfatigue1741
fag1774
outdo1776
to do over1789
to use up1790
jade1798
overdo1817
frazzlea1825
worry1828
to sew up1837
to wear to death1840
to take it (also a lot, too much, etc.) out of (a person)1847
gruel1850
to stump up1853
exhaust1860
finish1864
peter1869
knacker1886
grind1887
tew1893
crease1925
poop1931
raddle1951
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 224/1 He was broken with the hete of the sonne and wyth labour.
1583 G. Babington Very Fruitfull Expos. Commaundem. Ep. Ded. sig. ¶ 4v Your seruauntes, that breake both body and braines in your affaires.
1669 S. Pepys Diary 10 May (1976) IX. 550 Whom I have not seen since he was sick..he is mightily broke.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 537 Lord Essex told me he was much broken in his thoughts.
1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey III. xii. 143 O worn by toils, oh broke in fight.
1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art i. 16 None had been broken by toil.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > think [verb (intransitive)] > hard
to burst one's brainc1385
to break one's mind (heart)a1450
to break one's brain, mind, wind1530
to beat the brains1579
to rack one's brain (also brains, wit, memory, etc.)1583
hammer1598
beat1604
to cudgel one's brains1604
to bother one's brains (also brain)1755
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > become weary or exhausted [verb (intransitive)] > specific
forfare1393
forlie1423
to blow outc1440
flakec1500
to break one's brain, mind, wind1598
stress1756
to hit the wall1974
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > have or cause breathing disorder [verb (intransitive)] > become short of breath
shortc1000
to blow outc1440
stuff1488
to break one's brain, mind, wind1598
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 37 He sall mowe breke his heuede and his body and he sall neuer be þe nerre.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 464/1 I breake my brayne to do hym good.
1547 A. Borde Breuiary of Helthe i. f. Cxxiv Brekynge a mans mind about many matts the which he can nat comprehend.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 77 I shall neuer leaue breaking my braines til I finde it.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. ii. 14 If I trauell but foure foote..further a foote, I shall breake my winde. View more context for this quotation
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 21 It would break his [sc. the Devil's] winde and wits to attend such a Province.
1690 W. Walker Idiomatologia Anglo-Lat. 70 He breakes his brains with studying.
c. intransitive. To fail in health, decay, give way. See also to break up 9 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > be in ill health [verb (intransitive)] > be weak > become weak
of-fall?a1200
fail?c1225
wastea1300
languisha1325
defail1340
languora1375
defaulta1382
wastea1387
faintc1450
mortifyc1475
hink?a1500
traik?a1513
droopc1540
unquick1595
macerate1598
dodder1617
lachanize1623
smartle1673
break1726
go1748
sink1780
wilt1787
falter1799
weaken1886
to go down1892
to go out of curl1924
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > weariness or exhaustion > become weary or exhausted [verb (intransitive)] > exhaust one's strength or energy
to break one's back or necka1616
to melt one's grease1645
break1726
to run out of steam1836
to overdo it1853
to peg out1887
1726 J. Swift Cadenus & Vanessa 19 I'm sorry Mopsa breaks so fast.
1804 G. Rose Diaries (1860) II. 194 The Archbishop..is breaking fast.
1876 G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay II. vii. 2 His health was breaking fast.
13. To crush in spirit or temper; to discourage; to overcome, prevail upon (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > quality of being intimidating > intimidate or bully [verb (transitive)] > daunt (a person's) courage
cowardc1300
anarrowc1400
accowardize1480
accoward1481
daunton1535
quail1548
daunt1569
quay1590
disheart1603
dishearten1606
cravena1616
break1619
unsoula1634
unnerve1638
cowardize1648
daff1673
to put (a person) off his (also her) mettle1745
becoward1831
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) viii. vii. 33 Aurora, with hir terys so the brak Fortill enarm hir child.]
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. ii. xvii. 144 Cato..brake the hearts of the Celtiberians..by certaine encounters.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 887 That Golden Scepter..Is now an Iron Rod to bruise and breake Thy disobedience. View more context for this quotation
1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. xv. 458 By breaking their Fortunes and Estates, he had not at all broken their Spirits.
1752 D. Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 192 A person..easily broken by affliction.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 96 The slaughter of Aghrim had broken the spirit of the army.
14.
a. To reduce to obedience or discipline, tame, train (horses or other animals, also human beings); to subject or habituate to. Now also to break in at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > training > train [verb (transitive)]
to teach of1297
exercec1374
informc1384
schoolc1456
break1474
instruct1510
nuzzle1519
train1531
train1542
frame1547
experience?c1550
to trade up1556
disciplinea1586
disciple1596
nursle1596
accommodate1640
educate1643
model1665
form1711
to break in1785
scholar1807
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > [verb (transitive)] > tame or train
temec1000
tamec1315
faite1362
daunt1377
afaitea1393
reclaima1393
chastisec1400
makea1425
meekc1429
break1474
enter1490
train?1532
law1534
dressc1540
meeken1591
correct1594
subjugate1595
cicure1599
unwild1605
cicurate1606
mancipate1623
familiarize1634
domesticate1641
gentle1651
domesticize1656
civilize1721
educate1760
domiciliate1782
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > [verb (transitive)] > break a horse
break1474
dressc1540
back1594
gentle1651
rough1802
bust1885
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) ii. iii. 43 His hors well broken.
1519 W. Horman Vulgaria xxxi. f. 254 It is better, to breke a mannys owne people in warr than to hyre straungers.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 80 The same children he broke and taught how to awayte on their parentes.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Nn4v Cicero himselfe, being broken vnto it by great experience. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) ii. i. 147 Why then thou canst not break her to the Lute? View more context for this quotation
1668 S. Pepys Diary 14 Dec. (1976) IX. 393 About breaking of my horses to the coach.
1688 R. Holme Acad. Armory ii. 149/2 To Break or Back a Colt is the first riding of him.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. x. 96 They had never been broke to the rein.
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 18 Whose dog hath he broken?
b. to break from. Cf. also break of in 33b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)]
leaveeOE
forsakec1175
waive1340
twinc1386
refuse1389
to set aside1426
relinquish1454
abuse1471
renouncec1480
disaccustom1483
to break from1530
to lay aside1530
disprofess1590
dropa1616
to set bya1674
decline1679
unpractise?1680
slough1845
shake1872
sluff1934
kick1936
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 464/2 I breake a yonge beest from his wylde condyscions.
III. To violate.
15. To violate, do violence to; to fail to observe or keep; to transgress. (The opposite of to keep sacred or intact.) Said esp. in reference to:† e. to break day: to fail to keep an appointed time (for payment, etc.). Obsolete.
a. a law, commandment, rule, requirement; a thing sanctified by law or ordinance, as the Sabbath, the king's peace, a sanctuary. †to break time (Music): to fail to keep time.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > refuse to submit to [verb (transitive)] > break a (rule, command, or provision)
breakOE
to-breaka1067
again-come1400
violate?a1475
transgress1526
refringe1530
infringe1533
prevaricate1541
contravene1567
temerate1635
outrage1655
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > break the law [verb (transitive)]
breakOE
exceed1393
violate?a1475
trespass1484
infringe1533
contravene1567
outrage1655
transgress1660
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [verb (intransitive)] > keep time > fail to keep time
drag?a1500
to break time1591
OE Daniel 298 We ðæs lifgende worhton on worulde, eac ðon wom dyde user yldran; for oferhygdum bræcon bebodo burhsittende, had oferhogedon halgan lifes.
1023 Chart. Canute in Cod. Dipl. IV. 24 Gif ænig is ðæt gewilnað to brekenne..ðas ure gefæstnunge.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 79 He..brec cristes heste.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 179 Þat..brecð grið þar he hit healde sholde.
c1375 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 95 He brac þe Sabot.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 82 Unboxome and bolde to breke þe ten hestes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13808 Þou carl, qui brekes þou vr lau.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11992 Hu iesus brickes vr halidai.
1591 E. Spenser Virgil's Gnat in Complaints sig. K Cruell Orpheus..Seeking to kisse her, brok'st the Gods decree.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II v. v. 43 Keepe time, how sowre sweete Musicke is When time is broke, and no proportion kept. View more context for this quotation
1668 A. Marvell Let. 9 May in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 75 We had broke no privilege of the Lords.
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. iii. 228 [He] Ingag'd the Constable to cease All those, that would not break the Peace.
1771 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) II. liv. 233 The laws have..been shamefully broken.
1850 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis II. xxiii. 231 As refined as Mrs. Bull, who breaks the King's English.
b. a contract or covenant of any kind; a treaty, indenture, league, truce, peace, or the like.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > fail to observe [verb (transitive)] > a contract, etc.
break911
911 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Parker MS.) Her bræc se here on Norð hymbrum þone frið.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 4985 Þe fourme of pes was vaste ymad..Þat ne miȝte noȝt wel be ybroke.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 16 Prede brek uerst uelaȝrede and ordre.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 50 Breke conuenant, fidifrago.
1513 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid xii. v. Advt. Quhou Iuturna..Breikis the peax, and hasty batale sent.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Breake truce, fœdus frangere.
1730 Compl. Coll. State-trials (ed. 2) V. 656/1 The original Contract is thereby broke.
1763 Brit. Mag. 4 372 Which made me break my indentures, and run away.
1870 J. H. Burton Hist. Scotl. to 1688 V. lvii. 408 The English were the first to break the peace.
c. an oath, promise, pledge, vow, one's word, (one's) faith. Frequently in to break one's word.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > fail to observe [verb (transitive)]
breakOE
to-breaka1067
false1303
forleta1325
loosec1400
to fall from ——a1425
renouncec1450
violate?a1475
enfrain1477
failc1500
falsify1532
transverse1532
infringe1533
crack1576
recess1581
recant1585
digress1592
strain1592
burst1600
equivocate1629
falsy1629
forfeit1654
to break through1712
infract1798
waive1833
welsh1925
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > undutifulness > unfaithfulness > be unfaithful to [verb (transitive)] > break (a promise or agreement)
breakOE
abreakOE
false1303
violate?a1475
unpromise1583
to go back on1862
OE Beowulf 2063 Þonne bioð [ab]rocene..aðsweord eorla.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 354 Brutus him swar an æð breken þat he hit nælde.
c1290 Beket 1007 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 135 For he suor..and hath ibroke is oth.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10674 Hir vou to breke.
1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 143 Throgh a feyth y-broke.
1496–7 Act 12 Hen. VII xii. Pream. In breking his seid promys.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Breake fayth, othe, or promyse.
?1586 R. P. tr. D. Ortúñez de Calahorra Third Pt. First Bk. Mirrour of Knighthood sig. 16v Oh falce and disloyall knight, what reason coulde constraine thee to falsifie and break thy worde & promise giuen to be whollie mine.
1608 W. Shakespeare Richard II iv. i. 204 God pardon all Oathes that are broke to me.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iv. iii. 31 I breake my warlike word. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) v. i. 91 False King, why hast thou broken faith with me? View more context for this quotation
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. ii. 77 Some, to the Glory of the Lord, Perjur'd themselves, and broke their word.
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 201. ⁋9 A promise is never to be broken.
1796 R. Bage Hermsprong III. x. 94 He recovered, by saying, that he never broke his word in his life; and he had given his word to Lord Grondale.
1848 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1857) II. 471 That men who are in the habit of breaking faith should be distrusted when they mean to keep it is part of their just and natural punishment.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 79 The king would gladly have broken his word.
1862 W. C. Bennett Poems 302 Let honest truth be heard; A people tire of paltering knaves Who break too oft their word.
1956 S. H. Bell Erin's Orange Lily vi. 89 Aye, God help ye, it's a wonder they let you out alone! Come on, now, ye wouldn't break my word with the dacent man.
1991 M. Tully No Full Stops in India (1992) v. 170 Sarabjit Singh told me that some of the police officers had wanted to open fire, but he had opposed this. ‘I said no. We have given a blanket cease-fire and should not break our word...’
d. †to break spousehood (Middle English), to break wedlock, to break matrimony (16th cent.): to break the marriage vow, commit adultery. to break a marriage: to dissolve or annul it, obtain a divorce.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > fornication, adultery, or incest > commit fornication, adultery, or incest [verb (intransitive)] > commit adultery
to break (one's) wedlocka1100
to break spousehoodc1175
to break (also spill) (one's) spousal1340
adultera1382
to overgo one's beda1382
vowtrec1475
to break matrimony1530
to break wedlock1530
adulterize1611
adulterate1613
to commit the seventh1874
to play away1987
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > divorce or dissolution > divorce or separate [verb (intransitive)]
divort1581
dismiss1608
unmarry1635
divorce1643
separate1686
to part beds1710
to break a marriage1844
bust1880
to break up1912
split1942
split1942
uncouple1942
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 143 Þe sunfulle Men þet spushad brekeð.
1530 Bible (Tyndale) Gen. Prol. sig. Avi David, though he brake wedlocke.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Matt. xix. 18 Thou shalt not breake wedlocke.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Luke xvi. 18 Who so euer putteth awaye his wife and marieth another breaketh matrimony.
1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Constit. v. 71 His desire to break his first marriage from his wish to espouse Anne Boleyn.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > fail to observe [verb (intransitive)]
to make (hold, pay, keep, yield or break) a vowc1290
to break dayc1300
faithc1410
swerve1527
to break touch1594
jeofail1599
recant1599
recede1648
discede1650
renege1651
shab1699
shaffle1781
weasel1956
c1300 Beket 769 Com to morwe..that thu thane dai ne breke.
c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 487 That in no wise he breke wol his day.
c1590 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta i. ii. 340 If we break our day, we break the league.
c1610 S. Rowlands Terrible Battell 8 Sirrha, your day is broke, ile keepe your pawne.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman To Rdr. sig. B3 Breaking daies, promises, yea oaths and vowes.
f. to break ship: to fail to rejoin a ship on the expiration of leave.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > seafaring life > [verb (transitive)] > desert ship
run1873
jump1875
to break ship1905
1905 ‘Q’ Shining Ferry iii. xviii I brought across a sailor-looking chap... Thinks I, ‘You've broken ship, my friend.’
1907 Daily Chron. 3 Apr. 1/7 The serious offence of ‘breaking ship’.
1909 Daily Chron. 28 June 8/7 In the afternoon he broke ship, but was undiscovered.
IV. To make a way through, or lay open by breaking; to penetrate; to open up.
16.
a. To burst (a barrier) so as to force a way through it. Also to break open: see 17b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > open by freeing of obstruction > by barriers or chains
breaka1000
to break up1523
unchain1616
unbarricade1623
disbar1636
unbank1842
a1000 Battle of Maldon 277 Eadweard bræc ðone bordweall.
a1200 Moral Ode 92 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 27 Ne brecð neuer~euft crist helle dure.
1384 T. Hoccleve Mother of God 86 And broken been the yates eek of helle.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 1239 He brek þe bareres as bylyue.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. i. 204 They..sigh'd forth Prouerbes That Hunger-broke stone wals. View more context for this quotation
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. xvi. 419 The doors were instantly broke open.
1860 S. Smiles Self-help (new ed.) i. 10 Admiral Hobson..broke the boom at Vigo, in 1702.
b. To solve (a code or cipher); to decipher.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > code, cipher > decoding, deciphering > decipher [verb (transitive)]
decipher1529
uncipher1598
undecipher1764
decode1896
break1928
decrypt1936
1928 P. Buranelli et al. Cryptogram Bk. p. ii We were amazed at the ease with which anyone could break a coded message.
1931 Notes & Queries 30 May 379/2 Their centre in New York receives messages by the thousand in a code that has not yet been broken.
1956 C. D. Simak Time & Again xxxv. 168 No one else could break the language in which his notes were written.
17.
a. To enter (a house, an enclosed place, etc.) by breaking part of its circuit; to enter by force or violence. Cf. to break open at sense 17b, or 42a; and to break up 10 at Phrasal verbs. (See housebreaker n.) In modern use, only in to break and enter: see breaking n. 1c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come into [verb (transitive)] > violently
break851
foundc1420
enter1567
burst1570
intrude1594
raid1875
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > specific offences > [verb (transitive)] > enter by force
break851
society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > specific offences > [verb (intransitive)] > enter illegally
to break and enter1797
851 Anglo-Saxon Chron. [The Danes] bræcon Contwara burg and Lundenburg.
a1123 Anglo-Saxon Chron. anno 1102 Þeofas..breokan þa minstre of Burh.
c1305 Jud. Iscariot 73 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 109 Iudas brac þe ȝard anon.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xxi. 383 [Þou] by-glosedest hem and bygyledest hem and my gardyn breke.
1483 Cath. Angl. 42 To Breke garth, desepire.
1495 Act 11 Hen. VII c. 59 Preamble Evyll disposed persones..intendyng..to have broken the hous of your seid Subget.
1533–4 in J. Raine Depositions Courts Durham (1845) 49 The said Dicson did break the churche of West Awkelande.
c1677 A. Marvell Acct. Growth Popery 29 Clauses most severe..one for breaking all Houses whatsoever on suspicion of any such Pamphlet.
1745 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) XII. 69 Shall George Whitfield be charged with felony, because John Wesley broke a house?
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. 209 Every unwarrantable entry on another's soil the law entitles a trespass by breaking his close.
1797 T. E. Tomlins Jacob's Law-dict. I. Bb3/3 To break and enter a shop..is not burglary, but only larceny.
1810 W. Selwyn Abridgem. Law Nisi Prius (ed. 2) II. xxi. 841 Judgment was arrested in trespass for breaking and entering a free fishery.
1959 A. Sillitoe Loneliness of Long-distance Runner 11 There's a shop to break and enter.
1961 J. Maclaren-Ross Doomsday Bk. i. iv. 56 He broke-and-entered through a back window.
b. to break open: to open or enter by breaking. Cf. also to break up 10 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > force or wrench open
unspurna1300
upbreak1382
to strike up1467
to break open1594
wrench1607
force1623
spring1825
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. D3v Shee much amaz'd breakes ope her lockt vp eyes. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. i. 74 Go fetch me something, Ile break ope the gate. View more context for this quotation
1621 F. Quarles Hadassa (1638) 89 Break ope the leaves, those leaves so full of dread.
1623 J. Mede in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. III. 150 The king siezes upon all the Merchants Letters from Spain, breaks them open.
1652 Severall Proc. Parl. No. 109. Advt. His stable being broke open, was stoln one Brown bay gelding.
1753 W. Douglass Brit. Settlem. N. Amer. 287 They broke open his house and carried him from his naked Bed.
1853 Arab. Nights (Rtldg.) 266 The very robbers who had broken open and pillaged his house.
18. To make or produce (a hole, opening, passage, way, etc.) by breaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > making holes or becoming holed > make (an opening or hole) [verb (transitive)] > by breaking or impact
breakc1320
strike1632
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1261 An hole thai bregen.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island xi. xii. 148 A renting sigh way for her sorrow brake.
1699 True Relation Sir T. Morgan's Progress France 6 Morgan set his Soldiers to break Avenues for their marching out.
1705 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 5 Oct. (1885) I. 52 Dalton being forc'd to break way.
1835 I. Taylor Spiritual Despotism ii. 70 Their predecessors who have broke a path upon this field of noble and expansive good will.
1865 E. B. Tylor Res. Early Hist. Mankind ii. 20 A way for thought is already broken.
19. To escape from (an enclosed place) by breaking part of the enclosure, as in to break prison or jail; also to break bounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > escape from [verb (transitive)] > from confinement or restraint
breakc1300
slip1579
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [verb (intransitive)] > from confinement
atburstc1000
outbreakOE
strayc1330
aventc1375
twinc1386
out-wina1425
to break away1535
disengage1647
to break bounds1816
to cut loose1828
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > be excessive [verb (intransitive)]
overdoa1325
exceed1488
to pass, be above or beyond, God's forbodec1540
overreacha1568
overlaunch1579
overact1611
overboil1611
to overstep the mark (also line)1827
to cut it too fat1836
to break bounds1856
c1300 Beket 48 Gilbert and his felawes siththe..Prisoun breke.
1482 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. cclvii. 336 The prysoners of Newgate brake theyr prison.
1595 E. Spenser Amoretti lxxiii, in Amoretti & Epithalamion sig. E6 My hart..Breaking his prison forth to you doth fly.
1674 J. Bryan Harvest-home viii. 52 Who is himself; and breaks the jayl, must die.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 8 Am I to congratulate an highwayman..who has broke prison, upon the recovery of his natural rights? View more context for this quotation
1813 Ld. Byron Giaour 14 The faithless slave that broke her bower.
1816 J. Austen Emma III. vii. 116 You had..broken bounds yesterday, and run away from your own management. View more context for this quotation
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 188 It..prevented anarchy from breaking bounds.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. xii. 670 A hatred and jealousy which broke all bounds.
1888 N.E.D. at Break Mod. Scholars gated for a week for breaking bounds.
20.
a. to break covert (also cover): to start forth from a hiding place; also absol. to break; cf. senses 37, 39.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > from concealment, confinement, or obscurity
to break outOE
to come forthOE
to start outa1382
unnesta1413
to break covert (also cover)1602
untapis1602
unkennel1695
emerge1700
unburrow1744
tibble1840
tib1853
1602 Returne fr. Parnassus (Arb.) ii. v. 31 [I] stood to intercept from the thicket: the buck broke gallantly.
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany ix. 149 The wolf, a cub, broke cover in fine style.
1859 Ld. Tennyson Enid in Idylls of King 10 They break covert at our feet.
b. to break water or soil: said of a stag.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > thing hunted or game > action of game > [phrase] > take to the water
to beat a brookc1470
to beat the streamc1470
to break water or soil1486
1486 Bk. St. Albans E vij b Then brekyth he water ther to take yow tent.
1575 G. Gascoigne Noble Arte Venerie lxxix. 241 When he goeth quite through a ryuer or water, we say he breaketh Soyle.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 116 They loue the lakes & strong streames, breaking the floods to come by fresh pasture.
21.
a. To penetrate (as light breaks the darkness, sound the air). Cf. sense 41.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come into [verb (transitive)] > penetrate
thirlc1175
delve?c1225
piercec1325
entera1500
penetrate1530
search1594
job1603
breaka1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. iii. 123 Whiles the mad Mothers, with their howles confus'd, Doe breake the Clouds. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 142 All her fellow Nymphs the Mountains tear With loud Laments, and break the yielding Air. View more context for this quotation
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc iv. 44 To-morrow's sun, Breaking the darkness of the sepulchre.
1813 Ld. Byron Giaour (ed. 5) 58 What beam shall break my night?
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) III. 265 Only one ray of hope broke the gloom of her prospects.
1871 A. C. Swinburne Eve of Revol. in Songs before Sunrise 49 The night is broken eastward; is it day?
b. intransitive. Said of the darkness (rare).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > dawn > [verb (intransitive)]
waxc1300
arise1480
break1597
morrow1839
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III v. v. 39 Flakie darkenesse breakes within the east. View more context for this quotation
22. † b. Hence, intransitive to break with (rarely to a person), of or concerning (a thing). Obsolete.
a. †to break one's mind (heart): to deliver or reveal what is in one's mind (obsolete). to break news, to break a matter, to break a secret: to make it known, disclose, divulge it; now implying caution and delicacy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > thought > think [verb (intransitive)] > hard
to burst one's brainc1385
to break one's mind (heart)a1450
to break one's brain, mind, wind1530
to beat the brains1579
to rack one's brain (also brains, wit, memory, etc.)1583
hammer1598
beat1604
to cudgel one's brains1604
to bother one's brains (also brain)1755
society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or make revelations [verb (intransitive)]
cough1393
wrayc1425
to break a secreta1450
to tell allc1450
to bring (also put) to light1526
to let on1725
to open up1884
to come out of the closet1971
to come out1976
society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or make revelations [verb (intransitive)] > reveal one's true character > one's thoughts or feelings
to open one's hearta1250
to break one's mind (heart)a1450
to show one's mind1492
to fish out the bottom of a person's stomach1537
to utter (the bottom of) one's stomach1537
to show one's true colours?1551
to come out1836
to open out1855
to come (out) in (also into) the open1861
disembosom1884
unbutton1956
to go public1957
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xxxvi. l. 274 Al ȝowre herte thanne to me breke.
1474 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 479 To whom she brake hyre harte and tolde hyre þat she sholde have hadde Master Paston.
1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles II. lxii. [lxv.] 212 A squyer of Bretayne, to whome he had broken his mynde.
1528 S. Gardiner in N. Pocock Rec. Reformation (1870) I. 101 His holiness demanded whether the king's highness had at any time broken this matter to the queen.
1683 in Pennsylvania Arch. (1852) I. 83 I broke ye bussiness to Pr. Aldrix.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 455. ⁋3 She began to break her Mind very freely..to me.
1712 J. Arbuthnot Lewis Baboon iv. vi. 26 With a Design to break the Matter gently to his Partners.
1759 W. H. Dilworth Life of Pope 64 After a short acquaintance..he broke his mind to him upon that subject.
a1766 G. Colman Posthumous Lett. (1820) Add. 339 Here it may be resolved..that she shall break the secret of their marriage to the old Earl.
1840 T. Hood Up Rhine 1 Now, however, I have some news to break.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or reveal [verb (transitive)]
unwryc825
unhelec1000
to draw forthc1175
unhillc1200
to bring forth?c1225
unsteekc1250
let witc1275
uncovera1300
wraya1300
knowc1300
barea1325
shrivec1374
unwrapc1374
again-covera1382
nakena1382
outc1390
tellc1390
disclosea1393
cough1393
unhidea1400
unclosec1400
unhaspc1400
bewrayc1405
reveal1409
accusea1413
reveil1424
unlocka1425
unrekec1425
disclude?1440
uncurec1440
utter1444
detect1447
break1463
expose1483
divinec1500
revelate1514
to bring (also put) to light1526
decipher1529
rake1547
rip1549
unshadow1550
to lay to sight1563
uppen1565
unlace1567
unvisor?1571
resign1572
uncloak1574
disshroud1577
spill1577
reap1578
unrip1579
scour1585
unharboura1586
unmask1586
uncase1587
descrya1591
unclasp?1592
unrive1592
discover1594
unburden1594
untomb1594
unhusk1596
dismask1598
to open upc1600
untruss1600
divulge1602
unshale1606
unbrace1607
unveil1609
rave1610
disveil1611
unface1611
unsecret1612
unvizard1620
to open up1624
uncurtain1628
unscreen1628
unbare1630
disenvelop1632
unclothe1632
to lay forth1633
unshroud1633
unmuffle1637
midwife1638
dissecret1640
unseal1640
unmantle1643
to fetch out1644
undisguise1655
disvelop1658
decorticate1660
clash1667
exert1692
disinter1711
to up with1715
unbundlea1739
develop1741
disembosom1745
to open out1814
to let out1833
unsack1846
uncrown1849
to bring (out) in (also into) the open1861
unfrock1866
disbosom1868
to blow the lid off1928
flush1950
surface1955
to take or pull the wraps off1964
1463 T. Playter in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 291 He kept not his owyn councell, but brak to euery man of it.
a1535 T. More Dialoge of Comfort (1553) ii. xv. sig. I.iiv With him secretly she brake, and offred him .x. Duccattes for his labour.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 309 Then after to her father will I breake . View more context for this quotation
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion xii. 200 With him to breake Of some intended act.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. vi. §8. 755 To this effect Scipio brake with the Consul.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) iii. i. 59 I am to breake with thee of some affaires. View more context for this quotation
c. To publish or reveal (an item of news); to make available for publication. (Cf. sense 39b) Journalists' colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > journalism > supply of news or newspapers > make news available [verb (transitive)]
break1906
1906 G. W. Peck Peck's Bad Boy with Circus 21 (Weingarten).
1935 M. M. Atwater Murder in Midsummer xxviii. 262 Are you breaking the story in the morning papers?
1961 ‘B. Wells’ Day Earth caught Fire vii. 108 But she didn't break the story.
23. transitive. to break a jest: to utter, crack a joke. So to break a sigh, to break a smile, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > cause laughter [verb (intransitive)] > jest or joke
gameOE
jest1553
mow1559
cog1588
to break a jest1589
droll1654
joke1670
fool1673
crack a jest1721
crack a joke1753
pleasant1848
humorize1851
rot1896
kibitz1923
gag1942
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > sighing > sigh [verb (intransitive)]
sichec893
sikec1175
sigh1377
to sigh unsound?a1400
sightc1450
sithec1450
throb1557
to break a sigh1765
heave1820
sock1863
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > audible breathing > [verb (intransitive)] > sigh
sichec893
sikec1175
sughc1175
sigh1377
sightc1450
sithec1450
suspirec1450
soughc1475
supire?1590
to break a sigh1765
sock1863
the mind > emotion > pleasure > smiling > smile [verb (intransitive)]
smirkc888
smilea1300
subride1623
to break a smile1796
beam1893
cheese1930
1589 J. Lyly Pappe with Hatchet B Your Knaueship brake your fast on the Bishops, by breaking your iests on them.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 136 Heele but break a comparison or two on me. View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. III. v. 119 On the Scaffold (a place not to break jests, but to break off all jesting) he could not hold.
1709 J. Swift Project Advancem. Relig. 31 He is..in continual Apprehension, that some pert Man of Pleasure should break an unmannerly Jest.
1765 O. Goldsmith Double Transform. in Ess. 231 Jack..often broke A sigh in suffocating smoke.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc x. 151 Welcoming his gallant son, He brake a sullen smile.
1833 Fraser's Mag. 8 54 The landlord and waiter..were not suffered to do any thing, save to break their jokes on the members.
24. To open, commence, begin. In certain obsolete phrases, as to break parle, break trade. Also at Billiards: to break the balls: to make a stroke from the formal position in which the balls are placed at the beginning of a game, or after a foul stroke. In Billiards (Snooker, Pool, etc.): now also intransitive and with off. (But cf. sense 31.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > converse [verb (intransitive)] > confer, consult, or deliberate
roundc1275
to speak togetherc1275
to take counselc1290
counsel1297
treat1297
advisea1393
communea1393
to take deliberationc1405
common1416
to put (also bring, lay, set, etc.) their (also our, your) heads togetherc1425
janglec1440
bespeak1489
parliamenta1492
intercommonc1540
confer1545
parle1558
consult1565
imparl1572
break parle1594
handle1596
emparley1600
to confer notes1650
to compare notes1709
powwow1780
to get together1816
palaver1877
society > trade and finance > [verb (intransitive)] > begin trading
break trade1788
to start in business1788
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [verb (intransitive)] > actions or types of play
carambole1775
string1814
cannon1825
to make a baulk1839
star1839
push1851
to play for safety1857
run1857
carom1860
to knock the balls about1864
miscue1889
snooker1889
break1893
break1893
scratch1909
to call one's shot1953
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus v. iii. 19 Romes Emperour and Nephew break the Parle. View more context for this quotation
1788 A. Falconbridge Acct. Slave Trade 12 After permission has been obtained for breaking trade..the captains go ashore.
1850 H. G. Bohn et al. Hand-bk. Games 565 Breaking the balls is to take them all off the table, place the red on its spot, and..begin again from the baulk.
1893 I. K. Funk et al. Standard Dict. Eng. Lang. I. 234/2 Break..i[ntr]...Games. To make the first play, as in pool.
1949 J. Davis How I play Snooker 170 (heading) Breaking off.
1957 R. Holt Teach Yourself Billiards & Snooker 8 The winner of the toss or ‘stringing’ thus has choice of balls, and of ‘breaking’ (commencing the game) or asking his opponent to ‘break’.
1965 J. Pulman Tackle Snooker this Way xi. 56 After winning the toss in the professional game we never think of allowing our opponent to ‘break off’.
V. To make a rupture of union or continuity by breaking.
* of union.
25.
a. transitive. To break a bond, or anything that confines or fastens; to disrupt; hence to dissolve, loosen. Also figurative often with asunder.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > loosening or unfastening > loosen, unfasten, or untie [verb (transitive)]
unbindc950
undoc950
unleeseOE
breaka1225
unfest?c1225
leesea1325
loosena1382
unloosea1382
loose1388
resolvea1398
unlace?c1400
unfastenc1440
unloosen?a1475
to let slip1526
unbrace?1526
diffibulatea1538
unframe1567
unclit1587
undight1590
unclip1598
unclenchc1600
unreeve1600
unlock1609
ungrapple1611
unquilt1611
abstringe1623
renode1623
unspan1648
unfast1684
disengage1780
undub1807
unclap1846
a1225 St. Marher. 18 Alre kingene king brec nu mine bondes.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Judges xvi. 9 She criede to him, Philistien upon thee, Sampson, The which brak the boondis.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms ii. 3 Let us breake their bondes a sunder.
1578 T. Tymme tr. J. Calvin Comm. Genesis 241 The ambition of Nimrod, brake the bonds of this modesty.
1717 A. Pope Eloisa to Abelard in Wks. 426 Death, only death, can break the lasting chain.
1837 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. (ed. 3) I. xv. 226 Distrust..breaks the very bonds of human society.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 95 The spell which bound his followers to him was not altogether broken.
b. intransitive (for reflexive). See also sense 1b for literal use.
c. Nautical. transitive. To free and shake out (a flag or sail which has been furled); also with out.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > carry specific amount of sail [verb (transitive)] > set or spread (sails) > unfurl
unwrap1582
to let fly1627
unfurl1717
devolve1765
break1889
1889 Times 6 Aug. 8/3 The Royal Standard was broken on board the Victoria and Albert, and immediately H.M.S. Valorous..began to fire a salute.
1899 Daily News 9 Oct. 6/2 The Columbia broke out her spinnaker.
1901 Notes & Queries 9th Ser. 7 176/2 When a standard is ‘broken’ it is unfurled after being hoisted.
1902 Daily Chron. 26 Feb. 7/4 As the yacht slid gracefully into the water the American flag was broken out at the taffrail.
1914 Times 23 Dec. 7 After breaking a Union Jack at the head of a flagstaff.
1928 Daily Tel. 20 Mar. 13/7 The Afghan standard was broken from the Majestic's mainmast.
1945 ‘C. S. Forester’ Commodore 36 A black ball was soaring up the mast, and as it reached the block a twist of the seaman's wrist broke it out.
26.
a. transitive. To make a rupture in (the ranks of the enemy). (Also in one's own ranks, by quitting them, or fleeing.)
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > attack > attack [verb (transitive)] > penetrate by force > breach enemy's ranks
breakc1275
slap1513
open1523
burst1847
society > armed hostility > defeat > suffer defeat [verb (transitive)] > break (rank)
breaka1640
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 13729 Þene sceld-trume breken [c1300 Otho breke] þe Bruttes þer heolden.
c1460 J. Fortescue Governance of Eng. (1714) 46 Nor yet to may breke a mighty Flote gatheryd of Purpose.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xii. 217 And luk ȝhe na vay brek aray.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) 344 He drew his swerde..& brake the thyckest presse.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 6679 Mony batels he broke, buernes he slough.
a1640 P. Massinger Bashful Lover ii. iii. 3 in 3 New Playes (1655) He dies that breaks his ranks, Till all be ours.
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Line It cannot easily break the enemy's line.
1803 T. Munro in Marquess Wellesley Select. Despatches (1877) 790 After breaking their infantry, your cavalry..was not sufficiently strong to pursue any distance.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Two Voices in Poems (new ed.) II. 126 The foeman's line is broke.
b. absol. Said of a band of fighting men: to break their ranks, fall into disorder; also of the ranks.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defeat > be defeated [verb (intransitive)] > break rank
break1598
1598 R. Barret Theorike & Pract. Mod. Warres i. 4 To perform execution if the enemie break or flie.
1781 T. Jefferson in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) III. 308 They broke twice, and ran like sheep.
1824 T. B. Macaulay Ivry 43 Their ranks are breaking like thin clouds before a Biscay gale.
1878 R. B. Smith Carthage 221 The 4,000 Roman cavalry..broke and fled.
c. intransitive (for reflexive). Said of clouds, mists, etc.: to divide, disperse.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away in all directions > move away in all directions (of things)
spreada1382
dissipe1597
dispel1643
dissipate1660
break1827
to spread off1850
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey V. viii. v. 321 The storm cannot last long thus..I am sure the clouds are breaking.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People viii. §1. 448 Cromwell saw the mists break over the hills of Dunbar.
d. intransitive. Bridge. Of the outstanding cards in a suit: to be distributed (evenly: i.e. favourably from the declarer's point of view; etc.) between opponents.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > bridge > play bridge [verb (intransitive)] > actions or tactics
echo1885
peter1887
declare1895
false-card1902
finesse1902
to go over1902
to go down1905
switch1906
pass1908
exit1930
break1952
shoot1957
1952 Bridge Mag. Apr. 36/2 If the spades break no worse than four–two and the trumps three–one, establishment of the spade suit should be easy.
1959 Listener 8 Jan. 84/1 The trumps broke badly and the contract was down.
1959 Listener 19 Nov. 904/2 The diamonds failed to break.
1981 H. W. Kelsey Bridge ii. 29 The 4–1 trump split was a bit of a blow, but the slam would still be safe enough if either the spades or the diamonds broke evenly.
1983 V. Mollo Winning Bridge i. 5 As the trumps didn't break kindly either, he had to concede defeat.
** of continuance or continuity.† 27. transitive. To cut short, stop, bring to a sudden end. to break the siege: to raise the siege. Obsolete; but see to break off 1 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to > suddenly or abruptly (an action or person)
break1330
to break offc1340
to take up1530
to cut off1576
stunt1603
to cut up short1607
to cut short1611
pawl1797
to sew up1837
to stop short1837
burst1842
to pull up1861
society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > lay siege [verb (intransitive)] > abandon siege > raise a siege
to break the siege1330
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 111 (Mätz.) Our tale wille we no breke, bot telle forth the certeyn.
c1386 G. Chaucer Melibeus ⁋77 Wel ny alle atones bigonne they to rise for to breken his tale.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 415 Penthesilea..brak þe sege of þe Grees.
1533 T. More Answere Poysened Bk. i. xiiii. f. lviii A better than we both shall breke ye stryfe bytwen vs.
a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) iv. iv. sig. G.j Will ye my tale breake?
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xlvii. 510 To use means to break the match.
28.
a. To interrupt the continuance of (an action); to stop for the time, suspend.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > continuity or uninterruptedness > discontinuity or interrupted condition > break the continuity of or interrupt [verb (transitive)]
discontinuea1398
breakc1400
interrupta1420
intermit1557
takea1586
interpellate1599
interfalk1621
snapa1790
fault1837
c1400 Rom. Rose 6224 Love..brake his tale in the spekyng As though he had hym tolde lesyng.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie B 1101 The workes be broken and remaine vnperfite for a time.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 321. ¶11 I would not break the Thread of these Speculations.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 513 He was the first country gentleman..to break that long prescription.
b. to break one's fall, to break one's journey, to break the force of a blow.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stop the movement of > stop course or flow of something
stinta1330
stop1393
intercept1545
blench1602
hain1636
screen1657
to break off1791
to turn off1822
to break one's fall1849
society > travel > [verb (intransitive)] > go on a journey > break one's journey
call1642
to lay over1817
to stop over1855
to break one's journey1880
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 117 His fall, though thus broken, was still a fall.
1858 E. H. Sears Athanasia iii. ii. 265 An awful plunge downward with nothing to break the fall.
1880 Standard 14 Dec. Count Hatzfeldt..breaks his journey at this capital to-day.
29. To interrupt the continuance of (a state); to disturb: esp.
Thesaurus »
a. to break one's sleep or rest.
b. to break silence: see silence n. and int. Phrases 2. Also to break stillness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > speak [verb (intransitive)]
matheleOE
speakc888
spellc888
yedc888
i-quethec900
reirdOE
meldOE
meleOE
quidOE
i-meleOE
wordOE
to open one's mouth (also lips)OE
mootOE
spellc1175
carpa1240
spilec1275
bespeakc1314
adda1382
mella1400
moutha1400
utter?a1400
lalec1400
nurnc1400
parlec1400
talkc1400
to say forthc1405
rekea1450
to say on1487
nevena1500
quinch1511
quetch1530
queckc1540
walk1550
cant1567
twang1602
articulate1615
tella1616
betalk1622
sermocinate1623
to give tongue1737
jaw1748
to break stillness1768
outspeaka1788
to give mouth1854
larum1877
to make noises1909
verbal1974
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > audibility > be or become audible [verb (intransitive)]
bursta1325
risea1325
sounda1325
arisec1330
wrestc1400
uprise?a1513
to meet the eye (also ear)1645
ascend1667
to breeze up1752
well1825
to break stillness1853
fade1879
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iv. iii. 198 For this, the foolish ouer-carefull fathers Haue broke their sleepe with thoughts. View more context for this quotation
1623 J. Bingham tr. Xenophon Hist. 139 You shall put to death a man, that hath broken many a sleepe for you.
1706 R. Estcourt Fair Example i. i. 9 I hope your ill Luck did not break your Rest last Night.
1710 Tatler No. 222 Keeping them awake, or breaking their Sleep when they are fallen into it.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 176 I was not disposed to break silence.
1853 F. W. Robertson Serm. 3rd Ser. xi. 138 There are but three things which can break that peace.
1853 C. Kingsley Hypatia I. xi. 227 Not a sound..broke the utter stillness of the glen.
c. to break one's fast: to put an end to fasting by eating; esp. to eat after the night's fast, take the first meal of the day; to breakfast.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating meals > eat meal [verb (intransitive)] > eat breakfast
to break one's fastc1460
jenticulate1623
breakfast1679
c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn Prol. l. 71 Ete & be merry,..why breke yee nowt yeur fast?
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. lii Be vp betyme and breke thy fast before day.
1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health ccxiii. 197 These old men brake their fast commonly with hony.
1620 T. Venner Via Recta viii. 171 I aduise them, not to be altogether fasting till dinner, but to breake their fast.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler i. 2 My purpose is to be at Hodsden..before I break my fast . View more context for this quotation
1665 J. Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 375 I brake fast this morning with the King.
1808 W. Scott Marmion i. xxxii. 54 And knight and squire had broke their fast.
30.
a. To interrupt the uniformity of any quality; to qualify, allay.
ΚΠ
1839 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece (new ed.) I. 183 An uniform tenor of life, broken only by the exertions necessary to satisfy the simplest animal wants.
1877 A. B. Edwards Thousand Miles up Nile vii. 177 Not a tree, not a hut..broke the green monotony of the plain.
1885 Spectator 18 July 950/2 He..breaks for a few hours the terrible sameness of a dull..sordid life.
b. Of colours: To modify a colour by mixing it with some other colour. Also to break down 5 at Phrasal verbs, and broken colours (see broken adj.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [verb (transitive)] > tone down
dilute1665
mellow1694
break1753
sadden1787
sober1843
degrade1844
disintensify1884
scumble1905
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. at Broken A colour is said to be broken, when it is taken down or degraded by the mixture of some colour.
31. To alter abruptly the direction of (a line). to break a ball (Cricket): to make it change its direction on touching the ground. to break joint: said of stones or bricks in a building, when the lines of junction are not continuous. to break sheer: see sheer n.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > change the direction of
wrya1400
divert1548
wrench1582
break1600
deflect1615
deviate1660
wrest1759
sidetrack1887
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > disposition of stones or bricks > of stones or bricks: lie [verb (intransitive)] > be discontinuous
to break joint1793
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > bowl [verb (transitive)] > bowl in specific manner
twist1816
overthrow1833
to bowl over the wicket1851
overpitch1851
bump1869
york1882
to break a ball1884
flog1884
to bowl round (or formerly outside) the wicket1887
turn1898
flick1902
curl1904
spin1904
volley1909
flight1912
to give (a ball) air1920
tweak1935
move1938
overspin1940
swing1948
bounce1960
cut1960
seam1963
dolly1985
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xxiii. 141 He [sc. the ox] breaketh not vp his taile, but suffereth it to draw all along after him.
1660 tr. H. Blum Bk. Five Collumnes Archit. (new ed.) B This Pillar is broken perfectly.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. (at cited word) The ray of incidence..is, as it were, broken and bent into another direction.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §42 Breaking joint one course upon the other.
1884 James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Compan. (ed. 40) 29 Cooper..has the faculty of breaking a ball two or three feet.
1884 W. G. Grace in Pall Mall Gaz. 3 Oct. 2/1 He says that a fast bowler can ‘break’ both ways, but admits that this cannot be done with precision.
32.
a. intransitive. To deviate or start off abruptly from a line or previous course; to project; to fall off. Also with away, off; see to break off 3 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement [verb (intransitive)] > diverge from course
bowa1000
swervec1330
wrya1350
crookc1380
to turn asidea1382
depart1393
decline14..
wryc1400
divert1430
desvoy1481
wave1548
digress1552
prevaricate1582
yaw1584
to turn off1605
to come off1626
deviate1635
sag1639
to flinch out1642
deflect1646
de-err1657
break1678
verge1693
sheera1704
to break off1725
lean1894
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ii. 33 Examine..whether the Worm.. do not break into Angles.
1687 London Gaz. No. 2297/8 Stray'd or stolen..a black Mare..breaks high in the forehead.
1700 Moxon's Mech. Exercises: Bricklayers-wks. 39 Let the Keystone break without the Arch.
1873 H. B. Tristram Land of Moab vii. 125 The plain..breaking away abruptly in limestone precipices to a great depth.
a1878 B. Taylor Stud. German Lit. (1879) vii. 240 The narrative continually breaks into dialogue.
b. In Cricket. A ball bowled is said to break when it changes its course after it has pitched: the bowler causes this by his delivery. It is said to break back when it breaks in from the off, to break in, when it breaks from the leg side.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > bowling > bowl [verb (intransitive)] > motion of ball
to make haste?a1475
twist?1801
cut1816
shoot1816
curl1833
hang1838
work1838
break1847
spin1851
turn1851
bump1856
bite1867
pop1871
swerve1894
to kick up1895
nip1899
swing1900
google1907
move1938
seam1960
to play (hit, etc.) across the line1961
1847 W. Denison Cricketer's Compan. 1846 p. xix The tendency of his bowling is to make the ball break back from the ‘off’, to the ‘leg’.
1866 ‘Capt. R. Crawley’ Cricket 36 A..ball breaking in from the leg-side.
1882 Daily Tel. 17 May Clean bowled by a trimmer from Barnes, the ball apparently breaking back.
c. Of flowers: To burst into a diversity of colours under cultivation.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > be a flowering plant [verb (intransitive)] > have particular marking or colouring
to be feathered1833
break1835
lace1844
1835 J. Lindley Introd. Bot. (1848) II. 249 We have known the dahlias from a poor single dull-coloured flower break into superior forms and brilliant colours.
1846 J. W. Loudon Ladies' Compan. Flower Garden 303 All seedling Tulips, when they first flower, are..of a dull uniform colour; and to make them break, that is, to produce the brilliant and distinct colours which constitute the beauty of a florist's flower, a variety of expedients are resorted to.
VI. To sever or remove by breaking.
33.
a. transitive. To separate by breaking a connection. (See to break away, to break off, to break out at Phrasal verbs.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > detach [verb (transitive)] > break off
breaka1200
to break away1420
to break off1530
brit1578
twig1725
a1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 93 Brokene boȝes.
a1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 2078 For þe dede his mynde away þan brekes.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Deut. xxiii. 25 Thou shalt breek eeris, and with the hoond brisse.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15024 Bifor þair king þe childer kest Branches þai brak o bogh.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xxvii. 40 Thou shalt breake his yoke from off thy necke. View more context for this quotation
1888 N.E.D. at Break Mod. Great boughs broken from the trees.
b. to break (any one) of a practice or habit: to cause him to discontinue it. Perhaps originally belonging to sense 14b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > unaccustomedness or state of disuse > give up a habit or practice [verb (transitive)] > cause one to or disaccustom
unwone1340
disuse1489
discustom1502
wean1526
disaccustom1530
uncustom1530
unaccustom1580
unwont1580
to break (any one) of a practice or habit1612
disinure1613
unhitch1622
unhabit1650
dishabituate1869
wean1891
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) xxxviii. 239 Neither must they be too much broken of it [sc. danger], if they shall be preserued in vigor.
1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome v. 74 He..Broke them of their warm Bathes.
1748 J. Mason Ess. Elocution 11 A thick mumbling Way of speaking; which he broke himself of by declaiming with pebbles in his mouth.
1816 Life W. Havergal (1882) 15 His only fault is in preaching too fast, but he is trying to break himself of this.
1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. iv. 138 When she wants to break a village girl of disobedience to her mother.
c. to break the slate: to refuse to allow one's name to stand as candidate for some office. (See slate n.1 2c.) Also transferred. U.S.
ΚΠ
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. iii. lxiii. 458 The list so settled is now a State, unless some discontented magnate objects and threatens to withdraw. To do so is called ‘breaking the slate’.
1888 A. C. Gunter Mr. Potter xxii It's a desperate dodge, but I think it'll break the slate!
1888 A. C. Gunter Mr. Potter xxiii Her emissary had destroyed the document, though he'd left the wrapper whole, and so I tricked her and busted the slate!]
34.
a. intransitive. To sever a connection abruptly; to cease from relation with, quarrel with. See also to break off 2 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > quarrel or falling out > quarrel or fall at variance [verb (intransitive)]
varyc1450
quarrel1530
square1530
to fall offa1535
breach1573
snarl1593
snarl1597
breaka1616
to break offa1645
to cast out1730
to get wrong1803
split1835
split1843
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. v. 17 Speed. Shall he marry her? Launce. No, neither. Sp. What, are they broken ? View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iv. vi. 50 It cannot be, The Volces dare breake with vs. View more context for this quotation
1687 R. L'Estrange Answer to Let. to Dissenter 39 They Brake, upon This Point.
1740 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. (ed. 2) IX. Contents The Romans break with Perseus.
1859 D. Masson Life Milton I. 616 Charles broke with his Third Parliament in March 1628–9.
1872 E. A. Freeman Gen. Sketch European Hist. xv. §14. 324 Ready to break with the past altogether.
b. In boxing or wrestling, to separate from one's opponent after a clinch; esp. as an order from the referee. Also with away (see sense to break away 4 at Phrasal verbs).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > wrestling > wrestle [verb (intransitive)] > separate from opponent
break1932
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > box [verb (intransitive)] > separate
to break away1897
break1932
1932 P. G. Wodehouse Hot Water vi. 114 Next thing you know they're rolling on the floor, and me acting as referee and telling them to break.
1966 ‘J. Hackston’ Father clears Out 199 Tom, who was also referee, told them to break, and both girls still kept hanging on.
35. to break an officer; to cashier, deprive him of his commission, degrade him from his rank.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military organization > enlistment or recruitment > appointment to rank > be appointed to rank [verb (intransitive)] > demote
to break an officer1695
1695 London Gaz. No. 3135/3 Three other Colonels are broke.
1717 D. Defoe Mem. Church of Scotl. iii. 193 Whether he was not broke for Cowardise I am not certain.
1787 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 243 That no Officer could serve under him, and that sooner or later he must be broke.
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xvii. 46 From the time that he was ‘broken’, he had had a dog's berth on board the vessel.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Break, to deprive of commission, warrant, or rating, by court-martial.
VII. Intransitive senses implying movement accompanied by the breaking of ties or barriers; to burst.
36. intransitive. To escape or depart by breaking ties or barriers (physical or immaterial); to depart by a forcible or sudden effort, to escape from restraint. Often with loose, free: see also to break away 3 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (intransitive)] > break out of confinement
to burst bonds, barriersa1400
break1423
OE Phoenix 67 Foldan leccaþ wæter wynsumu of þæs wuda midle; þa monþa gehwam of þære moldan tyrf brimcald brecað, bearo elne geondfarað, þragum þrymlice.
OE Andreas (1932) 513 We on sælade, scipum under scealcum, þonne sceor cymeð, brecað ofer bæðweg, brimhengestum.
1423 Kingis Quair cxv [Thay] breken louse, and walken at thaire large?
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Dan. ii. A Had Nabuchodonosor a dreame..and his slepe brake from him.
a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 65 My boate broke from my sterne with a man in her.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 262. ⁋4 When I broke loose from that great Body of Writers.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 89 Then Roderick from the Douglas broke.
1843 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters I. 87 The great historical painters..who had broken so boldly..from the trammels of this notion.
1877 R. H. Hutton Ess. VII. Pref. Illusions from which..men have had the courage to break free.
1878 J. Morley Crit. Misc. 1st Ser. 220 A world that had broken loose from its moorings.
37. To come out or emerge by breaking barriers; to burst forth, rush out with sudden violence. Const. upon. See also to break forth at Phrasal verbs; to break out at Phrasal verbs.
a. of words, laughter, sounds, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sudden or violent sound > [verb (intransitive)]
bursta1325
break1330
slam-bang1837
bang1840
whang1854
bang1855
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 55 (Mätz.) Bituex þam and þe messengers broþefulle wordes brak.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii.iii. sig. P2 Twixt the perles and rubins [i.e. teeth and lips] softly brake A siluer sound.
1711 A. Pope Ess. Crit. 36 But ratling Nonsense in full Vollies breaks.
1833 H. Martineau French Wines & Politics i. 12 Cries of grief and despair broke from them at every step.
1837 E. Bulwer-Lytton Athens I. 477 Loud broke the trumpets The standards..were raised on high.
1876 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People i. §4. 38 Verses of his own English tongue broke from time to time from the master's lips.
b. of an attacking party.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > rush out
outfling?c1450
bolta1522
breakc1540
outrush1563
expire1626
outrun1819
society > armed hostility > attack > action or state of siege or blockade > lay siege [verb (intransitive)] > sally
to fall out1535
breakc1540
sally1560
sail1583
sorta1600
sortie1899
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13014 A busshement of bold men breke hym vpon.
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales i. xiv. 27 Vntill the enimie, with hope to breake vpon them, should drawe neere.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. i. §10. 363 They brake back furiously vpon their owne foot-men.
c. of natural phenomena, as a storm, light, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > be violent [verb (intransitive)] > burst violently from rest or restraint
abreakOE
outburstOE
outbreaka1450
reboil1477
to break forth1535
burst1542
to break out1574
go1583
fulminate1630
break1693
lasha1716
to rage out1720
rip1856
outflame1890
1693 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Metamorphoses i, in Examen Poeticum 31 A second Deluge, o're our heads may break.
1875 J. W. Dawson Life's Dawn on Earth i. 3 First bright streaks of light that break on..night and death.
1961 L. van der Post Heart of Hunter i. i. 37 The country where the rains had broken.
1965 Listener 3 June 828/1 The monsoon, heaviest in the world in that area, had broken.
d. Of fish: To rise to the bait.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fish to be caught or as catch > movement of fish [verb (intransitive)] > movement of fish
rise1595
break1885
weed1885
1885 Harper's Mag. Jan. 216/1 I tried to fool them with sham colored feathers; but no, sir, they [the fish] never broke.
e. Athletics. To get off the mark prematurely at the start of a race. Also with away.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [verb (intransitive)] > be premature (in acting)
to go off half-cocked1833
break1897
to beat (also jump) the gun1933
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 55/2 While the runner has his hands on the ground he cannot ‘break away’ from the mark, and if a runner ‘breaks away’ he is, under the A.A.A. rules, put back a yard.
1959 Observer 26 July 24/6 H. Smit..broke twice in the 100 yards and should by international rules have been disqualified.
38.
a. A person is also said to break into arms, to break into rebellion, to break into weeping, to break into a laugh, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > [verb (intransitive)] > begin hostilities
asty1297
to take weapon in handa1538
to raise one's standard1548
to rise in arms1563
to take (up) armsa1593
to break into arms1594
to unsheathe the sword1649
to take up the hatchet1694
to throw away the scabbard1704
to fly to arms1847
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > weeping > weep [verb (intransitive)] > burst or dissolve into tears
to burst a-weepc1275
distilc1374
still1412
to burst (out, forth) on weeping1564
dissolve1608
to melt to (also in, into) tears1609
to burst into tears1717
burst a-crying1825
blurt1830
to burst out crying1863
to break into weeping1866
to turn the tap(s) on1883
society > authority > lack of subjection > rebelliousness > insurrection > rise in revolt [verb (intransitive)]
arisec825
onriseOE
rise?a1160
stirc1275
inrisea1300
upstanda1300
again-risea1382
rebela1382
raisea1400
insurge1532
to fall offa1535
revolt1548
to rise in arms1563
tumult1570
tumultuatea1734
insurrect1821
insurrectionize1841
to break into rebellion1876
1594 W. Shakespeare Titus Andronicus iii. i. 214 Doe not breake into these deepe extreames. View more context for this quotation
1670 C. Cotton tr. G. Girard Hist. Life Duke of Espernon i. ii. 46 To which..he was further necessitated by the King of Navarre's breaking into Arms.
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. xii. 250 Torfrida broke into wild weeping.
1870 ‘A. R. Hope’ My Schoolboy Friends (1875) 110 We broke into a titter.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton iv. 42 The pony broke into a brisk trot.
1876 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People (1882) vi. §2. 275 In Kent..the discontent broke into open revolt.
b. To make a dash; to set off at a run. So to break back: to set off running in a reverse direction. U.S., Australian, and New Zealand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > going swiftly on foot > go swiftly on foot [verb (intransitive)] > run > start running
to take head1674
to take off1815
break1834
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > backward movement > move backwards [verb (intransitive)] > turn back or reverse course
turnc1275
to turn aboutc1330
repeata1382
to turn againc1384
to turn backc1425
re-turn1483
resore1486
to turn the backc1540
to turn round1560
to set back1803
resile1887
to break back1933
1834 D. Crockett Narr. Life ii. 11 He gathered about a two year old hickory, and broke after me.
1834 D. Crockett Narr. Life xiv. 96 When my lead dog..raised his yell, all the rest broke to him.
1835 A. B. Longstreet Georgia Scenes 125 The way she [sc. a horse] now broke for Springfield ‘is nothing to nobody’.
1883 ‘M. Twain’ Life on Mississippi xxviii. 300 If your boat got away from you, on a black night, and broke for the woods, it was an anxious time with you.
1889 A. Reischek Story of Wonderful Dog vi. 34 If the sheep broke he ordered a second dog to assist.
1892 Congress. Rec. Jan. 655/2 When a man is working for wages in the hot harvest field there is nothing more delightful to him than a little fall of rain which will drive him in. So these harvesters broke for the barn.
1907 S. E. White Arizona Nights (U.K. ed.) v. 98 The cattle would attempt to ‘break’ past the end and up the valley.
1933 E. Jones Autobiogr. Early Settler xii. 59 If a mob [of sheep]..broke back,..the rest of us would have to wait while the shepherd on whose beat the sheep had broken back, went for them.
1946 F. D. Davison Dusty ix. 96 With the dogs so far forward, the rearmost sheep..had a chance to break back.
c. Of a horse, esp. in racing, trotting, or pacing: to change gait; to lose a level stride. Also figurative. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by speed or gait > [verb (intransitive)] > change gait or step
to change (his, her, etc.) legs (or leg)1667
break1839
1839 Spirit of Times 13 July 222/3 While Awful was ahead, and his backers were counting the spoils in advance, he broke!
1852 C. A. Bristed Upper Ten Thousand 26 Suddenly the pacer stops short and capers. He is used up and has ‘broken’.
1868 H. Woodruff & C. J. Foster Trotting Horse Amer. i. 42 When he breaks, he is to be immediately pulled to a trot.
1876 B. Harte Gabriel Conroy vi. v The springs creaked, the wheels rattled, the mare broke.
1890 Harper's Mag. June 51/1 Lucifer can do no more. He ‘breaks’—breaks badly.
1902 A. D. McFaul Ike Glidden xxii. 198 They went along steadily..until near the upper corner on the back stretch, when the colt broke and his head went up into the air.
1904 N.Y. Evening Post 17 May 1 Kane County deserted Yates... Will County broke also, and gave twenty-six votes for Lowden.
1908 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 8 Oct. 2 The word ‘break’ applied to political campaigners has the same meaning [as in horse racing].
1908 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 8 Oct. 2 A trotter in a race breaks, that is, loses his level stride and reverts to an impossible kind of gallop which is not permitted by the rules.
1969 Sydney Morning Herald 24 May 27/3 Yogi Hall, who started 10–9 on favourite in the Trotters' Handicap, was barred because he broke badly during the running.
39.
a. To issue forth, come forth suddenly into notice, come as a surprise. Const. from, upon, into.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > happen or move unexpectedly [verb (intransitive)]
pop1530
break1711
pounce1836
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > make a sudden appearance in some activity
break1711
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 41. ⁋5 He thought fit to break from his Concealment.
1712 A. Pope Messiah in Spectator No. 351 See Heav'n..break upon thee in a Flood of Day.
1750 S. Johnson Rambler No. 79. ⁋7 The anxieties that break into his face.
1830 H. Rogers Ess. I. i. 9 There is no author who so often breaks upon his readers with turns of thought, for which they are totally unprepared.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xv. 107 Here..the Greenland shore broke upon us.
1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 43 Only the lap of the rippling wave Broke on the hush of their solitude.
b. Of an item of news: to become public or available for publication. Journalists' colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > journalism > supply of news or newspapers > become available (of news) [verb (intransitive)]
break1934
1934 F. Baldwin Innocent Bystander (1935) ix. 188 The papers have left me alone for a long time... I was sick with worry when..Merry acted the fool. But nothing broke.
1936 E. Ambler Dark Frontier x. 163 You'll give us an exclusive when the story does break, I hope.
1938 E. Waugh Scoop ii. i. 111 A big story is going to break.
c. To happen, occur. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > occurrence > [verb (intransitive)]
becomec888
i-tidec888
falleOE
ywortheOE
i-limp975
belimpOE
i-timeOE
worthOE
tidea1131
goa1200
arearc1275
syec1275
betide1297
fere1297
risea1350
to come aboutc1350
overcomea1382
passa1393
comea1400
to come in (also to, on, etc.) placea1400
eschew?a1400
chevec1400
shapec1400
hold1462
to come (also go) to pass1481
proceed?1518
occura1522
bechance1527
overpass1530
sorta1535
succeed1537
adventurec1540
to fall toc1540
success1545
to fall forth1569
fadge1573
beword?1577
to fall in1578
happen1580
event1590
arrive1600
offer1601
grow1614
fudge1615
incur1626
evene1654
obvene1654
to take place1770
transpire1775
to go on1873
to show up1879
materialize1885
break1914
cook1932
to go down1946
1914 Sat. Evening Post 15 Aug. 8/1 They say my homer was lucky..but, believe me, it was time things broke for me. They been breakin' for him all his life.
1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) Things are breaking right for me.
1936 ‘J. Curtis’ Gilt Kid xi. 118 Everything'll break good.
40. Of buds, flowers, roots, etc.: To sprout out, come forth, burst into flower or leaf, expand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > be a flowering plant [verb (intransitive)] > flower or blossom
blossomc890
blowc1000
flower13..
blooma1325
breakc1325
lancec1330
flourishc1386
to break up?a1500
knopa1584
effloresce1775
outbreak1870
the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > sprout forth or spring up
growc725
springOE
upspringc1000
sprouta1200
springa1225
risea1382
burgeon1382
burgea1387
to run upa1393
lance1393
bursta1400
launch1401
reke?1440
alighta1450
shoot1483
to come up?1523
start1587
to grow up1611
to come away1669
to break forth1675
upshoot1841
outgrow1861
sprinta1878
break1882
sprount1890
c1325 in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 124 When blosmes breketh on brere.
1868 C. Darwin Variation Animals & Plants II. xiii. 31 In..carrot-beds a few plants often ‘break’—that is, flower too soon.
1882 Garden 18 Mar. 187/1 Vigorous young [vine] rods..will require dexterous handling to get them to break evenly.
41. † b. transitive. To cause to break. Obsolete.
a. To burst out of darkness, begin to shine; as the day, morning, daylight. Const. on, upon. Many varieties of this expression appear, often mixed with other uses of break, as ‘the darkness is breaking’; cf. ‘the clouds are breaking’ in sense 26c.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (intransitive)] > become daylight
lightOE
dawc1200
dayc1275
shinec1384
dawn1499
break1535
unnight1594
dayn?c1600
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xxi. B The watchman answered: The daye breaketh on.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xxxii. 26 Let me goe, for the day breaketh [ Coverd. breaketh on] . View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iv. i. 86 Brother Iohn Bates, is not that the Morning which breakes yonder? View more context for this quotation
1647 J. Hall Poems ii. 92 The day Breakes clearer on them.
1790 Coll. Voy. round World V. x. 1688 Till day began to break upon them.
1829 I. Taylor Nat. Hist. Enthusiasm x. 259 When..the first beams of sound philosophy broke over the nations.
1836 C. Kingsley Lett. (1878) I. 33 Ere the sun had broken on the earth.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 22 The darkness seems breaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > light > naturally occurring light > emit beams (of a luminary) [verb (transitive)] > of the sun > dawn on or overtake with dawn > cause day to break
break1517
1517 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1928) i. 11 Golden Phebus..With cloude reed began to breke the daye.
42.
a. intransitive (and with indirect passive) To enter by breaking barriers; to make a forcible or violent entrance into a place; to make an irruption. (Formerly expressed by break trans.: see 17.)
ΚΠ
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) v. xxxv. 147 That colde ayre breke not sodaynly in to the herte.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11937 Þai..Brekyn into bildynges, britnet the pepull.
1628 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides Peloponnesian War (1822) 55 The Lacedemonians afterwards brake into Attica.
1679 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. ix. Explan. Terms 165 Carpenters with their Ripping Chissel do often Break in to Brick-walls; that is, they cut holes.
1883 Law Rep.: Queen's Bench Div. 11 590 The prosecutor's house was feloniously broken into and entered.
b. To get into, or make a sudden appearance in, some occupation, activity, etc. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΚΠ
1899 Chicago Daily News 10 May 6/1 Nichols will be anxious to break into the game pretty soon.
1907 Collier's 5 Oct. 11/2 Mr. F. C. Wheeler..decided recently for the first time in his life to break into print.
1939 J. Dell Nobody ordered Wolves i. 7 Phillip was one of the countless thousands whose consuming ambition was to ‘break’ into the motion picture industry.
Phrases
P1. to break bulk (cf. sense 2e): ‘to open the hold and take out goods thence’ ( Capt. Smith's Seaman's Gram. 1692); to destroy the completeness of a cargo by taking out a portion, to begin to unload.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > transportation by water > be transported by water [verb (intransitive)] > unload > partially
to break bulk1575
1575 in Hist. Glasgow (1881) 117 Breking bowk [of a cargo].
1587 St. Paper Office Domest. Corr. To bring them [ships] into this realme without breaking bulke.
1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo 195 All Merchants ships being laden, haue alwaies..beene permitted to breake bulke below, or at Tilburie-Hope.
1668 A. Marvell Let. 18 Apr. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 73 An Impeachment..against Sr W: Penn for breaking bulke in the East India Prizes.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 106. ⁋2 Whether he would break Bulk, and sell his Goods by Retail.
1792 E. Burke On Negro Code in Wks. (1842) II. 424 The faithful execution of his part of the trust at the island where he shall break bulk.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. v. 51 He was breaking casks out of the hold.
1883 Times 24 Mar. 6 The whole [cargo of tea] can be sampled and sold the moment the steamer breaks bulk.
P2. to break new ground: to make progress (esp. in knowledge) by using previously uninvestigated material on a subject, or by exploring a new aspect of or approach to a subject.
ΚΠ
a1631 J. Donne To Ben Jonson in Compl. Poems (1872) II. i. 99 Nor is such follower of those ancients found As thou, who, following, darest break new ground.
1857 Littell's Living Age 2 May 316 The drama he seems to have given up... Why not break new ground in literary biography?
1878 Catholic World Nov. 164 Wherever we go now, if we leave Paris we shall be breaking new ground.
1899 Econ. Jrnl. 9 213 In breaking new ground statistically, it is almost always the facts of once date that must serve.
1928 Nation & Athenæum 7 Jan. 537/2 Montesquieu..had been the first to break the new ground.
1957 Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 359/1 Our artists have found in greyish crackled porcelain a background for painting that inspires them to break new ground.
1970 Guardian 27 Feb. 8/5 Those were days of high adventure: every programme was a first..breaking new ground.
1993 Locus Oct. 27/2 This novel suffers seriously from sequelitis, covering very little new ground and getting overly emotional about the past.
P3. to break (the) ground (cf. 5a):
a. To dig through the surface of ground, especially when covered with turf; to plough up ground for the first time, or after it has lain long in pasture. See also to break up 6 at Phrasal verbs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (of person) [verb (intransitive)] > plough for first time
to break (the) ground1712
1712 H. Prideaux Direct. Church-wardens (ed. 4) 76 The Fee for breaking the soil [for a grave] belongs to them.
1888 N.E.D. at Break Mod. (U.S.) It takes three farm-horses of good weight to break prairie-land.
b. Of an army: To begin digging trenches.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > earthwork or rampart > build rampart [verb (intransitive)] > dig trenches
to break (the) ground1678
to dig in1917
1678 London Gaz. No. 1320/3 We hear the French are breaking ground, as if they intended a formal Siege.
1810 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1838) VI. 200 The enemy broke ground before Ciudad Rodrigo on the night before last.
c. figurative. To commence operations, take the first steps, do pioneer work.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > make a beginning in some enterprise
beginc1200
to break the ice?1553
to break (the) ground1709
to set (or start) the ball rolling1770
to strike the first blow1849
1709 London Gaz. No. 4555/3 Last Night we broke Ground.
1834 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 35 792 They have broken no ground from which they have not been driven.
1841 T. Carlyle On Heroes i. 3 Could I..thus, as it were, not exhaust my subject, but so much as break ground on it!
1857 T. De Quincey R. Bentley (rev. ed.) in Select. Grave & Gay VI. 56 One of these who first broke ground as a pioneer in the great field of Natural Philosophy.
d. Nautical. ‘Break-ground. Beginning to weigh, or to lift the anchor from the bottom.’ Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.
ΚΠ
1751 W. Beawes Lex Mercatoria Rediviva 116 If..the Ship..breaks Ground, and arrives at her Port.
e. Boxing. (See quot. 1897.)
ΚΠ
1889 E. B. Michell Boxing in W. H. Pollock et al. Fencing (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) 154 The proper style of breaking ground or shifting, or slipping, is by movements to the right.
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 139/1 Break ground, to take up a fresh position to the right or left.
P4. to break the ice: see ice n. Phrases 2.
P5. to break square, or squares [of uncertain origin: compare 2e] : to interrupt or violate the regular order; commonly in the proverbial phrase, it breaks no square, i.e. does no harm, makes no mischief, does not matter.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > irregularity > violate regularity [verb (intransitive)]
to break square, or squares1570
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) II. 1152/2 The missyng of a few yeares in this matter, breaketh no great square in our story.
1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 116 There are but fewe that breake not square oftener in eating and drinking too much then to litle.
1633 G. Herbert Discharge in Temple vii Man and the present fit! if he provide [i.e. look into the future], He breaks the square.
1640 T. Fuller Joseph's Coat 173 Would so small a matter have broken any squares?
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love iii. 38 'Tis no matter; this shall break no squares betwixt us.
1760 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy II. v. 35 This fault, in Trim, broke no squares with 'em.
P6. to break wind: to void wind from the stomach or bowels. [But compare brake v.5 to void from the stomach.]
ΚΠ
1540 D. Lindsay Satyre 7624 I lay braikand like ane brok.
1540 D. Lindsay Satyre 4367 Sche blubbirt, bokkit, and braikit still.]
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Belke, or bolke, or breake wynde vpwarde.
1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 171 He would give folke leave to breake winde downward and let it goe even with a crack at the very bourd.
a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters 45 in tr. Epictetus Manuall (1636) He lying along, belcheth or breaketh wind.
1791 ‘P. Pindar’ Lousiad: Canto III 43 Had the Thund'rer but broke wind.
P7. to break even:
a. intransitive. In Faro (see quot. 1909). U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > games of chance > games of chance played with cards > [verb (intransitive)] > specific bet in faro
to break even1909
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. (at cited word) To break even, in faro, to bet that each card will win or lose an even number of times on the deal.
b. To emerge from a transaction, enterprise, etc., with balancing gains and losses. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [verb (intransitive)] > other types of money dealing
to bargain and sell1768
hedge1909
to break even1914
to wash its face1946
disinvest1961
reintermediate1979
pitch1980
divest1984
1914 S. Lewis Our Mr. Wrenn ii. 33 To go bumming around like you do and never have to worry about how the firm's going to break even.
1920 Flight 12 508/2 What must we earn to ‘break even’?
1950 J. Dempsey Championship Fighting ii. 12 He and I broke even in our three four-rounds bouts.
1958 Listener 2 Oct. 498/1 Today a novel needs to sell 5,000 copies for a publisher to break even.
Phrasal verbs
Combined with adverbs: To break asunder: see sense 25 To break back (Cricket): see 32b to break on: see sense 41. to break across to break away to break down to break forth † 4. [ < sense 40.] To spring or sprout out vigorously. Obsolete. to break in to break off † 9. intransitive. [ < sense 24.] To start, begin. Obsolete. to break out to break through [ < branch VII. Through is here originally a preposition, and the analysis is to break through-a-fence, not to break-through a fence, but the preposition tends to attach itself to the verb as in Latin perfringĕre, and is sometimes used absolutely as an adverb.] to break up † 7. intransitive. [ < 5b.] = to break out at Phrasal verbs. Obsolete. † 10. transitive. [ < 16, 17.] To burst open (a barrier), make forcibly way into (a house), open forcibly (a letter, box, etc.).† 11. absol. [ < 10.] Obsolete.† 13. intransitive. [ < 39.] To transpire. Obsolete.† 14. [ < 40] . To burst (into flower). Obsolete.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
‘In tilting, when the tilter by unsteadiness or awkwardness suffered his spear to be..broken across the body of his adversary, instead of by the push of the point’ (Nares). Cf. Shakespeare As You Like It iii. iv. 44.
1. transitive. [ < sense 33.] To sever or remove by breaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > detach [verb (transitive)] > break off
breaka1200
to break away1420
to break off1530
brit1578
twig1725
1420 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 45 A branche of þe couercle [is] y-broke away.
1781 W. Cowper Expostulation 501 The lamp that with awaking beams, Dispell'd thy gloom and broke away thy dreams.
1855 D. Costello Stories from Screen 77 Those who..broke away the bars which kept him prisoner.
2. intransitive (for reflexive of a.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > become detached [verb (intransitive)] > break off
to carry away1604
snap1796
to break away1860
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §11. 70 The snow..broke away from the foot and fell into the chasm.
3. intransitive. [ < sense 36.] To start away with abruptness and force; to go off abruptly; to escape by breaking from restraint. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > escape > [verb (intransitive)] > from confinement
atburstc1000
outbreakOE
strayc1330
aventc1375
twinc1386
out-wina1425
to break away1535
disengage1647
to break bounds1816
to cut loose1828
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away suddenly or hastily
fleec825
runOE
swervea1225
biwevec1275
skip1338
streekc1380
warpa1400
yerna1400
smoltc1400
stepc1460
to flee (one's) touch?1515
skirr1548
rubc1550
to make awaya1566
lope1575
scuddle1577
scoura1592
to take the start1600
to walk off1604
to break awaya1616
to make off1652
to fly off1667
scuttle1681
whew1684
scamper1687
whistle off1689
brush1699
to buy a brush1699
to take (its, etc.) wing1704
decamp1751
to take (a) French leave1751
morris1765
to rush off1794
to hop the twig1797
to run along1803
scoot1805
to take off1815
speela1818
to cut (also make, take) one's lucky1821
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
absquatulize1829
mosey1829
absquatulate1830
put1834
streak1834
vamoose1834
to put out1835
cut1836
stump it1841
scratch1843
scarper1846
to vamoose the ranch1847
hook1851
shoo1851
slide1859
to cut and run1861
get1861
skedaddle1862
bolt1864
cheese it1866
to do a bunkc1870
to wake snakes1872
bunk1877
nit1882
to pull one's freight1884
fooster1892
to get the (also to) hell out (of)1892
smoke1893
mooch1899
to fly the coop1901
skyhoot1901
shemozzle1902
to light a shuck1905
to beat it1906
pooter1907
to take a run-out powder1909
blow1912
to buzz off1914
to hop it1914
skate1915
beetle1919
scram1928
amscray1931
boogie1940
skidoo1949
bug1950
do a flit1952
to do a scarper1958
to hit, split or take the breeze1959
to do a runner1980
to be (also get, go) ghost1986
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Jer. li. 6 The souldyers brake awaye, and fled out of the cite by night.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. iv. 1 Feare me not man, I will not breake away . View more context for this quotation
a1627 T. Middleton et al. Widdow (1652) i. i. 2 When Thieves are taken, and break away twice or thrice one after an other, ther's my gains; then goes out more Warrants to fetch'em agen.
1852 M. F. Tupper Proverb. Philos. 317 A dappled hart hath flung aside the boughs and broke away.
1872 W. Black Strange Adventures Phaeton xii. 164 If people break away from the ordinary methods..they must take their chance.
4. Boxing. (See quot.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > box [verb (intransitive)] > separate
to break away1897
break1932
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 139/1 Break away, to get away from an opponent.
1904 A. J. Newton Boxing viii. 67 So clinched, they remain..on the lookout for an opportunity to break away in the most favourable manner.
1923 L. R. Tosswill Boxing Up-to-date 58 In competitions held under the auspices of the Royal Navy and Army..the command ‘Break away’ is given by the referee the moment the boxers clinch.
5. break away Of the weather: to clear up. Perhaps Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1768 G. Washington Diaries I. 249 Very like to Snow but broke away abt. Sun Set.
1816 U. Brown in Maryland Hist. Mag. 11 221 This morning rains very much, about Ten o'Clock breaks away.
1. transitive. [ < branch II.] To break (anything) so that its parts fall to the ground; to demolish, destroy, level with the ground. Also of things figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > creation > destruction > breaking or cracking > break [verb (transitive)] > break down, demolish, or ruin
spillc950
fellOE
to cast downc1230
destroy1297
to turn up?c1335
to throw down1340
to ding downc1380
to break downa1382
subverta1382
underturn1382
to take downc1384
falla1400
to make (a building, etc.) plain (with the earth)a1400
voida1400
brittenc1400
to burst downc1440
to pull downc1450
pluck1481
tumble1487
wreck1510
defacea1513
confound1523
raze1523
arase1530
to beat downc1540
ruinate1548
demolish1560
plane1562
to shovel down1563
race?1567
ruin1585
rape1597
unwall1598
to bluster down16..
raise1603
level1614
debolish1615
unbuilda1616
to make smooth work of1616
slight1640
to knock down1776
squabash1822
collapse1883
to turn over1897
mash1924
rubble1945
to take apart1978
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. v. 5 I shal breke down his wal.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. v. 5 Breake downe the wall thereof. View more context for this quotation
1742 J. Wesley Wks. (1872) I. 353 They..brake down part of the house.
1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches I. i. i. 9 They would be powerful to break down; helpless to build up.
1878 J. Morley Diderot II. 29 He will not, however, on that account break down the permanent safeguards.
2. [ < sense 7.] To break into small pieces; to crush; to decompose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > separate into constituents [verb (transitive)]
resolvea1398
analyse1606
untwist1611
refract1646
disband1695
decomposea1751
decompounda1751
to break up1751
disintegrate1794
to break down1859
dissociate1869
factor1958
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany iv. 42 With delicious light French roll broken down into it.
1883 Athenæum 29 Dec. 871/1 The molecule of arabic acid, C89H142O74, is broken down.
3. [ < senses 12, 13.] To crush or prostrate in strength, health, courage, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > inability > render unable [verb (transitive)] > crush or disable
bruiseOE
frush1488
to break down1853
1853 Arab. Nights (Rtldg.) 274 So much was he already broken down by affliction, sorrow and terror.
1873 J. Morley Rousseau I. 28 The character of Jean Jacques was absolutely broken down.
1885 Manch. Examiner 6 Sept. 5/4 He has been consistently anxious to break down the power in Egypt of the Turkish pashas.
4. intransitive (for reflexive). To fall broken or in ruins; to collapse, give way, fail utterly, prove of no avail; to give way, as the back sinews of a horse's leg (whence the technical use in 1831, 1864). Also of an engine, a machine, vehicle, or the like: to cease to function, esp. through the fracture or dislocation of a part.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail or be unsuccessful [verb (intransitive)] > go wrong > of equipment or machinery
to go wrong1809
to break down1831
conk1917
poop1927
the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > of horse: have disorder [verb (intransitive)] > of horses' legs: give way
to break down1831
1831 W. Youatt Horse xiii. 246 A slight injury..is called a sprain of the back-sinews or tendons; and when it is more serious, the horse is said to have broken down.
1837 United Service Jrnl. May 112 One of her engines ‘broke-down’, as it is technically called.
1856 B. Brodie Psychol. Inq. (ed. 3) I. iii. 93 The mind may break down all at once under some sudden affliction.
1864 Ld. Palmerston in Daily Tel. 26 Aug. It often happens that a very good-looking horse breaks down.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate III. vii. 173 The task before her was..so difficult that she almost broke down in performing it.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 156* If this definition of justice also breaks down, what other can be offered?
1880 J. McCarthy Hist. our Own Times III. xl. 223 His health almost suddenly broke down.
1904 R. Kipling Traffics & Discov. 314 They knew my car had broken down.
1958 Times 9 Sept. 4/6 Congestion that might be caused when a vehicle breaks down.
5. [ < sense 30.] To tone down, qualify.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > tone down
temperc1000
modifyc1385
softenc1410
tame?a1500
qualify1536
temperatea1540
extenuate1561
supple1609
dilute1665
palliate1665
weaken1683
subdue1723
lower1780
modulate1783
to shade away1817
to water down1832
to water down1836
sober1838
veil1843
to tone down1847
to break down1859
soothe1860
tone1884
to key down1891
soft-pedal1912
1859 T. J. Gullick & J. Timbs Painting 303 Breaking down the warm lights with colours of the opposite quality.
1882 Standard 9 Oct. 2/7 He had used ‘white’ sugar for ‘breaking down’ some gin.
1882 Printing Times Feb. 35 Another class of tones is formed by breaking down orange with its complementary colour blue.
6. transitive. To divide (logs) into timber (see quot. 1922).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > constructing or working with wood > build or construct with wood [verb (transitive)] > board or plank > cut into planks
to break down1878
1878 Technol. Dict. (ed. 3) II. 84/1 To break down timber,..débiter le bois..en planches, etc.
1883 M. P. Bale Saw-mills iii. 35 The band-sawing machine can..be used for breaking down heavy logs.
1922 R. C. Bryant Lumber 451 Break down, 1. To reduce large logs to a size which can be sawed on the main log saws in a sawmill. 2. To cut a log into cants. (P[acific] C[oast] F[orests].)
1927 J. F. Stewart Man. Forest Engin. & Extraction xiii. 171 The logs..are broken down to suitable sizes by this saw.
7. To analyse or classify (figures, statistics, etc.). Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > collect or employ statistics [verb (transitive)] > analyse
to break down1934
1934 Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Break down,..to separate (an account or a budget) into its component parts or subdivisions.
1941 Amer. Speech 16 45 A vast amount of raw material has been broken down for classification.
1948 Hansard Commons CDXLVIII. 1663 The programme account..is not broken down as between the Home, Light, and Third Programmes.
8. To stop (something objectionable); to ‘give over’; esp. in break it down: stop it, ‘come off it’. Australian and New Zealand colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)]
aswikec975
linOE
beleavec1175
forletc1175
i-swikec1175
restc1175
stutte?c1225
lina1300
blinc1314
to give overc1325
to do wayc1350
stintc1366
finisha1375
leavea1375
yleavec1380
to leave offa1382
refuse1389
ceasec1410
resigna1413
respite?a1439
relinquish1454
surcease1464
discontinue1474
unfill1486
supersede1499
desist1509
to have ado?1515
stop1525
to lay aside1530
stay1538
quata1614
to lay away1628
sist1635
quita1642
to throw up1645
to lay by1709
to come off1715
unbuckle1736
peter1753
to knock off1767
stash1794
estop1796
stow1806
cheese1811
to chuck itc1879
douse1887
nark1889
to stop off1891
stay1894
sling1902
can1906
to lay off1908
to pack in1934
to pack up1934
to turn in1938
to break down1941
to tie a can to (or on)1942
to jack in1948
to wrap it up1949
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > leave off! or stop it!
to do waya1325
stay1601
go and eat coke1669
to leave off1785
whoa1838
drop it!1843
cut1859
turn it up1867
to come off ——1896
to chuck it1901
knock it off!1902
cut it out1903
nix1903
break it down1941
to shove it1941
leave it out!1969
1941 Coast to Coast 127 Ah, break it down, feller. Everybody knew you had her on the town.
1943 N.Z.E.F. Times (2nd N.Z. Expeditionary Force) 15 Mar. 6/5 Break down the swearing.
1945 L. Glassop We were Rats i. v. 35 ‘Break it down,’ I said, ‘nothing would interest me less.’
1949 J. R. Cole It was so Late 13 ‘Break it down!’ Wood shouted from the telephone. ‘I can't hear a thing.’
1. intransitive. [ < sense 37.] To make a rush forward.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)] > with a rush
to break forth1552
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Breake forth or out, prorumpo.
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xix. 22 Lest the Lord breake forth vpon them. View more context for this quotation
1646 G. Buck Hist. Life Richard III ii. 61 Forth breakes King Richard towards the Earle.
2. Of flame, light, passion, war, disease, etc.: To burst out, break out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > be violent [verb (intransitive)] > burst violently from rest or restraint
abreakOE
outburstOE
outbreaka1450
reboil1477
to break forth1535
burst1542
to break out1574
go1583
fulminate1630
break1693
lasha1716
to rage out1720
rip1856
outflame1890
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. lix. 8 Then shal thy light break forth as ye mornynge.
1561 T. Norton & T. Sackville Gorboduc iii. i The fire..breakes forth with double flame.
1596 M. Drayton Mortimeriados sig. B 3 A little sparke..Breakes forth in flame.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. i. 25 Diseased nature oftentimes breakes forth, In strange eruptions. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. ix. 10 A boyle breaking forth with blaines. View more context for this quotation
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §384 Many Diseases..break forth at particular times.
1655 T. Stanley Hist. Philos. I. iii. 24 In the second year..broke forth a War.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 302. ⁋5 In Emilia..it [religion] does not break forth into irregular Fits and Sallies of Devotion.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 645 It was not only against the prisoners that his fury broke forth.
1864 J. Bryce Holy Rom. Empire iii. 35 These were the feelings that..broke forth in the shout of ‘Henry the Emperor’.
1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 224 He breaks forth into full light in the course of the next year.
3. [ < sense 36.] To break loose from restraint.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > freedom or liberty > liberation > set free [verb (intransitive)] > escape from restraint > throw off restraint
to throw off1551
to break forth1608
to take a loose1703
to let rip1857
to kick over the traces1861
to cut loose1900
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 197 Breaking forth in ranke & (not to be indured riots). View more context for this quotation
a1639 W. Whately Prototypes (1640) xxix. 135 You young men that have too much broken forth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > sprout forth or spring up
growc725
springOE
upspringc1000
sprouta1200
springa1225
risea1382
burgeon1382
burgea1387
to run upa1393
lance1393
bursta1400
launch1401
reke?1440
alighta1450
shoot1483
to come up?1523
start1587
to grow up1611
to come away1669
to break forth1675
upshoot1841
outgrow1861
sprinta1878
break1882
sprount1890
1675 N. Grew Compar. Anat. Trunks ii. vi. 72 The Trunk-roots break forth all along it.
5. [ < sense 38] To burst into utterance; to exclaim with sudden outburst.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > cry or exclamation > cry or exclaim [verb (intransitive)]
remeeOE
ropeOE
gredec1000
epec1175
yeiec1175
ascry1352
to cry out1382
to lift (up) a cry, one's voice1382
cryc1384
outcryc1390
yawlc1400
openc1425
bursta1450
yelp?c1450
escry1483
assurd1523
to break forth1526
gaure1530
to call out?1532
exclaim1570
reclaim1611
voice1627
blathe1640
to set up one's pipes1671
bawze1677
sing1813
Great-Scott1902
yip1907
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Gal. iv. 27 Breake forth and crye thou that travelest not.
1611 Bible (King James) Isa. xiv. 7 They breake foorth into singing. View more context for this quotation
1726 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey IV. xvi. 482 The Prince breaks forth; Proclaim What tydings, friend?
1882 Sun 14 May 6/5 The anti-lacrossers cheered and broke forth with [a ditty].
1. transitive. = sense 14.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > training > train [verb (transitive)]
to teach of1297
exercec1374
informc1384
schoolc1456
break1474
instruct1510
nuzzle1519
train1531
train1542
frame1547
experience?c1550
to trade up1556
disciplinea1586
disciple1596
nursle1596
accommodate1640
educate1643
model1665
form1711
to break in1785
scholar1807
1785 E. Burke Speech Nabob Arcot's Debts in Wks. (1842) I. 326 Suppose his highness not to be well broken in to things of this kind.
1840 T. B. Macaulay Ld. Clive 3 Savages..who had not broken in a single animal to labour.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin II. xix. 26 I broke a fellow in, once.
1856 F. E. Paget Owlet of Owlstone Edge 97 She must be well broke in to the smell of tobacco.
2. intransitive. [ < sense 42.] To force one's way in, enter forcibly or abruptly; to make an irruption.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming in > go or come in [verb (intransitive)] > violently
inburstc1540
to break in1552
burst1562
bust1838
irrupt1886
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Breake in, irrumpo.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. iv. v. §6. 260 Ptolomies Armie brake in without resistance.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey Ded. The wild beasts..hauing broken in vpon them.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 131. ¶8 When an unexpected Guest breaks in upon him.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones V. xv. v. 220 I am afraid..I break in upon you abruptly. View more context for this quotation
1884 S. Baring-Gould Mehalah (new ed.) iv. 50 Lest he should be broken in on from the cellar.
3. To infringe upon or interfere with; to interrupt or disturb suddenly or unexpectedly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > types or manners of hindrance > [verb (intransitive)] > hinder by interference
interrupt1412
intervene1649
to break in1657
intercedea1661
to queer the pitch1846
to throw a monkey wrench into the machinery1907
to gum (up) the works1932
to throw a spanner in the works1934
1657 T. Burton Diary (1828) II. 79 Bring in a Bill, which is as effectual. Otherwise business will break in upon you.
1748 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 5 Sept. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1209 Some little passion or humour always breaks in upon their best resolutions.
1765 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. I. 70 Whenever a standing rule of law..hath been wantonly broke in upon by statutes or new resolutions.
1806 G. Rose Diaries (1860) I. 251 I would..break in upon these [arrangements] to call in Clarges Street.
1819 W. Irving Sketch Bk. 5 Those sudden storms which will sometimes break in upon the serenity of a summer voyage.
1882 J. H. Shorthouse John Inglesant (new ed.) II. 378 The booming of cannon broke in upon the singing of the psalms.
4. To interpose abruptly in a conversation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > interruption > interrupt or interpose [verb (intransitive)]
chop in1550
to speak in a man's cast1580
to break through1659
interpose1667
interrupt1667
to break in1705
to catch up1764
to get ina1774
to strike in1791
to get a word, etc. in edgeways1824
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 101 The Doctor's Character..with a deep Voice, and a Magisterial Air breaks in upon Conversation, and drives down all before him.
1807 A. M. Porter Hungarian Brothers II. ix. 251 ‘You remember the circumstance,’ added the Marshal, seeing Charles about to interrupt him; ‘but I'll not be broken in on.’
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 74 Feeling the certainty of being right..the father broke in.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 9 In the discussion..Glaucon breaks in with a slight jest.
5. [ < sense 39.] To burst or flash upon.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > idea, notion, or concept > come to mind, occur [verb (intransitive)] > suddenly
smitec1450
shoot1542
rejounce1556
to break in1713
to cross one's mind, etc. (rarely to cross one)1768
surge up1853
strobe1977
1713 G. Berkeley Three Dialogues Hylas & Philonous iii. 165 A new Light breaks in upon my Understanding.
1742–3 Observ. Methodists 14 Fresh Emanations of Divine Light break in upon..my Soul.
1836 J. Gilbert Christian Atonem. ii. 58 Had these lights but broken in upon an earlier period.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. ii. iv. xii. 262 Not the faintest flash of the real state of the case broke in upon her mind.
6. (See quot. 1823).
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or constructing with brick > work with bricks [verb (intransitive)] > cut hole in brickwork
to break in1823
1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 220 To Break in—To cut or break a hole in brick-work, with the ripping-chisel for inserting timber, etc.
7. In paper-manufacture, to subject (rags) to a process of washing and pulping.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > manufacturing processes > paper-making > make paper [verb (transitive)] > specific processes
planish1361
calender1513
couch1751
watermarkc1800
part1809
satin1839
re-reel1860
to break in1865
hot press1875
tub-size1880
reslush1938
1865 Chambers's Encycl. VII. 243 They are thoroughly washed and partly pulped; or, as it is technically called, broken in.
8. To bring (virgin land) into cultivation. Also breaking-in. Australian and New Zealand (originally dialect: see Eng. Dial. Dict. and Sc. National Dict.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > reclamation > [noun]
amendment1483
improvement1549
improvinga1563
recoverya1632
mendment1644
cultivation1791
reclaim1799
reclamation1810
intaking1812
redemption1812
clearing1821
reclaimment1852
land reclamation1881
breaking-in1891
greening1955
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > reclamation > reclaim [verb (transitive)]
ina1387
reclaim1440
improve1523
win1531
mitigate1601
reform1607
stuba1650
regain1652
redeem1671
reduce1726
to bring to1814
to bring in1860
to break in1891
green1967
1891 R. Wallace Rural Econ. Austral. & N.Z. i. 24 The single-furrow plough is employed to break in the land.
1891 R. Wallace Rural Econ. Austral. & N.Z. vi. 109 Such results are only expected for a few years after breaking in until the wood ashes left after burning the bush are exhausted.
1939 E. E. Vaile Pioneering Pumice v. 99 I was breaking in some country about two and a half miles from the homestead.
1950 N.Z. Jrnl. Agric. Feb. 141/1 In many parts of the North Island, farm country still offers a stubborn resistance to breaking-in.
1. transitive. [ < sense 27.] To discontinue (anything) abruptly; to put a forcible, abrupt, or definite end to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to > suddenly or abruptly (an action or person)
break1330
to break offc1340
to take up1530
to cut off1576
stunt1603
to cut up short1607
to cut short1611
pawl1797
to sew up1837
to stop short1837
burst1842
to pull up1861
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 29 Þou sall..breke of þat.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. FFFiiiv Vouchsafe..to interrupt & breke of the swete quyetnesse of contemplacion.
1597 T. Morley Plaine & Easie Introd. Musicke 117 Now wil I breake off my intended walke.
1611 Bible (King James) Dan. iv. 27 Breake off thy sinnes by righteousnesse. View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης i. 2 The first [parliament] he broke off at his comming to the Crown.
1712 J. Hughes Spectator No. 554. ⁋7 I might break off the account of him here.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 295. ¶4 We find several Matches broken off upon this very Head.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 255 The conferences were soon broken off.
2. intransitive. To leave off or stop abruptly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease activity [verb (intransitive)] > stop short in some activity
to break offc1340
persist1563
check1635
to stop short1727
to pull in1780
jib1812
stall1923
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 29 When þou hase bene besye vwtwarde..þou sall breke offe and come agayne to þi prayers.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xii. 139 When we begin to speake a thing, and breake of in the middle way.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 262 Not one word more my Maides, break off, break off. View more context for this quotation
1641 J. Jackson True Evangelical Temper ii. 122 We must not here breake off; let us continue on the story.
1727 D. Defoe Syst. Magick i. ii. 43 Upon this their Consultations broke off.
1841 T. B. Macaulay in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) II. ix. 111 He may break off in the middle of a story.
3. = sense 32.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > change of direction of movement > change direction of movement [verb (intransitive)] > diverge from course
bowa1000
swervec1330
wrya1350
crookc1380
to turn asidea1382
depart1393
decline14..
wryc1400
divert1430
desvoy1481
wave1548
digress1552
prevaricate1582
yaw1584
to turn off1605
to come off1626
deviate1635
sag1639
to flinch out1642
deflect1646
de-err1657
break1678
verge1693
sheera1704
to break off1725
lean1894
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 142 She found the Shore break off a little, and soon after, a little more.
1833 Regulations Instr. Cavalry i. i. 30 The front rank break off to the left, the rear rank to the right.
4. transitive. [ < sense 33.] To sever or detach completely by breaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or detachment > detach [verb (transitive)] > break off
breaka1200
to break away1420
to break off1530
brit1578
twig1725
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 465/1 I breake of a pece or porcyon of a thyng from the hole.
1611 Bible (King James) Exod. xxxii. 2 Breake off the golden earerings which are in the eares of your wiues. View more context for this quotation
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 15. ⁋1 To the End of that Stamen of Being in themselves which was broke off by Sickness.
1759 B. Martin Nat. Hist. Eng. I. Cornw. 4 Part of one of them has been broke off.
5. intransitive. To detach oneself abruptly from.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > separation or isolation > separate [verb (intransitive)] > detach oneself abruptly
to break offa1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. ii. 121 I must from this enchanting Queene breake off . View more context for this quotation
1863 A. P. Stanley Lect. Jewish Church I. x. 231 A Jewish sect..which professes to have broken off from Israel at this time.
6. [ < sense 34.] To sever connection or relation (with), to separate.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > hatred > quarrel or falling out > quarrel or fall at variance [verb (intransitive)]
varyc1450
quarrel1530
square1530
to fall offa1535
breach1573
snarl1593
snarl1597
breaka1616
to break offa1645
to cast out1730
to get wrong1803
split1835
split1843
a1645 W. Browne tr. M. Le Roy Hist. Polexander (1647) iii. iii. 93 To breake off instantly with the enemies of his greatnesse and religion.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 27 July (1974) VIII. 355 The King and my Lady Castlemayne are quite broke off and she is gone away.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 36. ⁋1 False Lovers, and their shallow Pretences for breaking off.
1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. vi. 158 Her ungrateful lover..was now occupied with the means, not indeed of breaking off with her entirely, but, [etc.].
7. transitive. To draw off sharply, withdraw completely from.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > cease from (an action or operation) [verb (transitive)] > cause to cease or put a stop to
astintc700
stathea1200
atstuntc1220
to put an end toa1300
to set end ofa1300
batec1300
stanch1338
stinta1350
to put awayc1350
arrestc1374
finisha1375
terminec1390
achievea1393
cease1393
removec1405
terminate?a1425
stop1426
surceasec1435
resta1450
discontinue1474
adetermine1483
blina1500
stay1525
abrogatea1529
suppressa1538
to set in or at stay1538
to make stay of1572
depart1579
check1581
intercept1581
to give a stop toa1586
dirempt1587
date1589
period1595
astayc1600
nip1600
to break off1607
snape1631
sist1635
to make (a) stop of1638
supersede1643
assopiatea1649
periodizea1657
unbusya1657
to put a stop to1679
to give the holla to1681
to run down1697
cessate1701
end1737
to choke off1818
stopper1821
punctuate1825
to put a stopper on1828
to take off ——1845
still1850
to put the lid on1873
on the fritz1900
to close down1903
to put the fritz on something1910
to put the bee on1918
switch1921
to blow the whistle on1934
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 135 Then must the retreat be sounded, and..the dogs be broken off.
1701 W. Paterson Proposals Council of Trade 110 At whose pains..ought the people of this Kingdom, be broken off, from this habit of Idleness.
8. [ < sense 28b.] To intercept and repel.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > render immobile [verb (transitive)] > stop the movement of > stop course or flow of something
stinta1330
stop1393
intercept1545
blench1602
hain1636
screen1657
to break off1791
to turn off1822
to break one's fall1849
1791 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse §338 A sloping Bank..to break off the fury of the sea.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)]
beginc1000
onginOE
aginOE
ginc1175
to go tillc1175
to take onc1175
comsea1225
fanga1225
to go toc1275
i-ginc1275
commencec1320
to get (also get down, go, go adown, set, set down) to workc1400
to lay to one's hand(sc1405
to put to one's hand (also hands)c1410
to set toc1425
standa1450
to make to1563
to fall to it1570
to start out1574
to fall to1577
to run upon ——1581
to break off1591
start1607
to set in1608
to set to one's hands1611
to put toa1616
to fall ona1625
in1633
to fall aboard1642
auspicatea1670
to set out1693
to enter (into) the fray1698
open1708
to start in1737
inchoate1767
to set off1774
go1780
start1785
to on with1843
to kick off1857
to start in on1859
to steam up1860
to push off1909
to cut loose1923
to get (also put) the show on the road1941
to get one's arse in gear1948
1591 J. Lyly Sapho & Phao ii. iii. 177 Then shall wee have sweet musique. But come, I will not breake off.
10. Nautical. (See quot. 1867.)
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > drop away from direct course
to fall off1569
yaw1584
sag1633
bag1836
to break off1867
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. at Break She breaks off from her course: applied only when the wind will not allow of keeping the course; applies only to ‘close-hauled’ or ‘on the wind’. Broken off, fallen off, in azimuth, from the course.
1. transitive. [ < sense 33.] To force out by breaking.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > strike or knock out > violently
lashc1330
pash1530
to break out1611
1611 Bible (King James) Psalms lviii. 6 Breake out the great teeth of the young lyons. View more context for this quotation
1888 N.E.D. at Break Mod. To break the glass out of a window, the teeth out of a rake, etc.
2. intransitive. [ < sense 37.] To burst or spring out from restraint, confinement, or concealment. Said of persons and things material, also of fire, light, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > from concealment, confinement, or obscurity
to break outOE
to come forthOE
to start outa1382
unnesta1413
to break covert (also cover)1602
untapis1602
unkennel1695
emerge1700
unburrow1744
tibble1840
tib1853
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > violently
to break outOE
shonk1488
belch1581
burst1590
fulminate1630
vomit1632
bust1837
OE Beowulf 2546 Geseah ða..stanbogan, stream ut þonan brecan of beorge.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15401 Þat he [the pick] brac ut bi-foren under his breosten.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4465 Bot at þe last þai sal breke out And destroy many landes obout.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. xxxv. 6.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. lviii. 8 Thanne shal breken out as morutid thi liȝt.
1596 W. Lambarde Perambulation of Kent (rev. ed.) 289 Those very welles or springs..whereof the one breaketh out of the groud [sic] about Stallesfield.
1647 Sectary Dissected 17 What an ambush of Banditi is here broken out against the poor Statutes?
1679 W. Longueville in E. M. Thompson Corr. Family of Hatton (1878) I. 183 Sunday last a fire or two broke out in ye citty.
1763 J. Wesley Jrnl. 21 Aug. The sun broke out several times, and shone hot in my face.
1885 Manch. Examiner 6 July 5/1 A fire broke out and spread with great rapidity.
3. Said of a morbid eruption on the skin; also of an epidemic disease.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > eruption > erupt [verb (intransitive)]
to break out1535
burst1552
to break up1561
to come out1565
erump1657
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > types > of a disease: act [verb (intransitive)] > of epidemic disease: break out
to break out1651
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Lev. xiii. 12 Whan the leprosy breaketh out in the szkynne.
1651 in T. Fuller Abel Redevivus 429 There brake out a grievous Pestilence in that City.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia 327 The measells, which are little swellings, red, breaking out in the skinn.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 16. ¶2 Those Blotches and Tumours which break out in the Body.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Walking to Mail in Poems (new ed.) II. 50 The same old sore breaks out from age to age.
1851 W. H. Dixon W. Penn xi. 378 The yellow fever broke out in Philadelphia.
4. A person, or his body, is also said to break out (in or into boils, etc.).
ΚΠ
c1300 Beket 2421 His flesch bigan to breken out: and rotede and foule stonk.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Breake oute, or braste oute, as a mannes face doth with heate.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxix. 167 The bodies of children..breaking out into biles and scabbs.
1690 London Gaz. No. 2596/4 He is a short..Man, his Lips broke out.
1769 O. Goldsmith Rom. Hist. II. 144 His face was all broke out into ulcers.
1819 L. Hunt Indicator 24 Nov. 56 He used to break out in enormous biles and blisters.
5. Said of exclamations, feelings, passions, traits; of discord, riot, war, rebellion, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > violent action or operation > be violent [verb (intransitive)] > burst violently from rest or restraint
abreakOE
outburstOE
outbreaka1450
reboil1477
to break forth1535
burst1542
to break out1574
go1583
fulminate1630
break1693
lasha1716
to rage out1720
rip1856
outflame1890
1574 J. Baret Aluearie B 1102 Laughter breaketh out suddainly.
1597 M. Drayton Englands Heroicall Epist. f. 5 v My hart must breake within, or woes breake out.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης iv. 29 Besides this, the Rebellion in Ireland was now broke out.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 577 His speech was suppressed for some days: But it broke out at last.
1845 S. Austin tr. L. von Ranke Hist. Reformation in Germany (ed. 2) I. 429 The natural antagonism between them soon broke out.
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. II. xi. 274 Traits of him still break out.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 163 Formidable riots broke out in many places.
1849 W. Irving Oliver Goldsmith (rev. ed.) xxix. 254 His goodness of heart, which broke out on every occasion.
6. Persons or other agents are also said to break out into or in some manifestation of feeling or some action. (New Zealand examples refer to a drinking bout.) See also E.D.D.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > manifest itself [verb (intransitive)]
break out into or in1480
to have way?1614
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > eruption > erupt in spots, etc. [verb (transitive)]
break out into or in1480
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [verb (intransitive)] > go on drinking-bout
Bacchanalize1656
to loose (also let loose) a pin1711
binge1854
to break outa1888
to go on the bust1890
toot1890
to go on the shout1892
pub-crawl1937
barhop1954
binge drink1975
1480 W. Caxton Descr. Brit. 19 A metrer breketh out in this maner in praysing of this cite.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing i. i. 24 Did he breake out into teares? View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. ix. 83 Thomas Piercy..brake out into open Rebellion against the Queen.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 45. ¶6 She broke out into a loud Soliloquy.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc viii. 316 The exultant French Break out in loud rejoicing.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues I. 177 Ctesippus again breaks out, and again has to be pacified by Socrates.
a1888 Mod. He's not a confirmed dipsomaniac, but only breaks out now and again.
1898 J. Bell In Shadow of Bush xvii. 101 Davie..had thought it best on the one occasion in which Dan had broken out, to give him a wide berth.
1904 N.Z. Illustr. Mag. 9 429 Bill did ‘break out’.
7. transitive. To open up (a receptacle or the like) and remove its contents; to get (articles) out of a place of storage; hence, to prepare (food or drink) for consumption. colloquial (chiefly U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)]
unteeOE
to take out of ——c1175
forthdraw?a1300
out-takea1350
to take outa1382
excludec1400
dischargec1405
to get outc1432
tryc1440
extraya1450
out-have1458
to take fortha1550
extract1570
reave1640
eliciate1651
roust1658
uncork1740
to put out of ——1779
to break out1840
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > open to use or a source
tap1575
broach1582
tame1642
to break out1840
the world > food and drink > drink > providing or serving drink > [verb (transitive)]
birleOE
drenchc1000
shenchOE
adrenchc1275
to drink to1297
tap1401
skinkc1405
propinec1450
brince?1567
liquor1575
to do right1600
dram1770
butler1826
jerk1868
to set up1880
drink1883
bartend1948
to break out1962
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. v. 51 He was breaking casks out of the hold.]
1840 R. H. Dana Two Years before Mast xiv. 111 There is always a good deal to be done in the hold: goods to be broken out.
1849 N. Kingsley Diary (1914) 22 Broke out our chests to-day, found all our things in good order.
1849 N. Kingsley Diary (1914) 73 They broke out the baggage room to-day to get iron for various purposes.
1877 Fraser's Mag. 15 221 Afterwards the fish are broken out and washed, and then packed in wooden hogshead casks.
1962 ‘K. Orvis’ Damned & Destroyed vi. 47 I went home and broke out a fresh bottle of Scotch.
1968 C. Burke Elephant across Border vi. 236 ‘Break out some more coffee.’ Lori made more coffee.
8. intransitive. Of a goldfield: to come into operation. Also transferred. Australian and New Zealand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin action or activity [verb (intransitive)] > become active or come into operation
to take steadc1175
commencec1380
to take effect1385
to come into force (also to take force)1491
to come into (also in) play1568
inure1589
enure1607
to break out1862
to make with ——1940
bite1976
1862 E. Hodder Mem. N.Z. Life 180 The Mammoth Caverns, which have been discovered since the diggings broke out.
1873 A. Trollope Austral. & N.Z. II. xxiii. 380 When Gold ‘broke out’, as the phrase goes, on the western side of the Middle Island.
1894 C. J. O'Regan Voices of Wave & Tree 14 When the Coast broke out, we roughed it thro' the bush.
1901 M. Franklin My Brilliant Career ii. 11 Ere the diggings had broken out on Bruggabrong, our nearest neighbour..was seventeen miles distant.
1. transitive. To penetrate (a barrier of any kind) by breaking it; to force one's way through. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (intransitive)] > through > by force
to break throughc1540
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement over, across, through, or past > [verb (transitive)] > through > with force
to burst from, througha1325
to break throughc1540
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > penetrate, discern [verb (transitive)]
piercea1398
to look througha1525
insee1541
penetrate?1563
to see through ——1565
to look through ——1580
understand1587
to break through1597
fathom1633
unfathom1707
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 5827 He hit hym so hetturly..Þat he breke þurgh the burd to the bare throte.
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xlix. 105 Neither are they able to breake thorough those errors wherein they are..setled.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 138 Hypanis, profound, Breaks through th' opposing Rocks. View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 53. ⁋8 A Satyr peeping over the silken Fence, and threatening to break through it.
1798 J. Ferriar Illustr. Sterne ii. 24 Wit, like beauty, can break through the most unpromising disguise.
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, & Bks. II. xi. 262 Those conventional hypocrisies of which most people are ashamed, even when they would be far more ashamed to break through them.
2. To burst through restraints of, transgress.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > observance > non-observance or breach > fail to observe [verb (transitive)]
breakOE
to-breaka1067
false1303
forleta1325
loosec1400
to fall from ——a1425
renouncec1450
violate?a1475
enfrain1477
failc1500
falsify1532
transverse1532
infringe1533
crack1576
recess1581
recant1585
digress1592
strain1592
burst1600
equivocate1629
falsy1629
forfeit1654
to break through1712
infract1798
waive1833
welsh1925
1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 401. ⁋7 I purpose to break through all Rules.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones I. i. iii. 11 A Custom he never broke through on any Account. View more context for this quotation
1808 T. Jefferson Writings (1830) IV. 129 I was unwilling it should be broke through by others.
3. To project abruptly through.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > unevenness > projection or prominence > project or be prominent [verb (intransitive)] > through something
to break through1860
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. §11. 80 Two rocks break through the snow.
4. absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > interruption > interrupt or interpose [verb (intransitive)]
chop in1550
to speak in a man's cast1580
to break through1659
interpose1667
interrupt1667
to break in1705
to catch up1764
to get ina1774
to strike in1791
to get a word, etc. in edgeways1824
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. vi. f. vijv Where theves breake through and steale.
1659 T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 273 The Chair broke through and rose without a question.
1690 J. Locke Some Thoughts conc. Educ. §70 After Corruption had once broke thro'.
1. transitive. [ < 1.] To break into many parts; to disintegrate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separation or breaking up into constituent parts > separate into constituents [verb (transitive)]
resolvea1398
analyse1606
untwist1611
refract1646
disband1695
decomposea1751
decompounda1751
to break up1751
disintegrate1794
to break down1859
dissociate1869
factor1958
1751 W. Beawes Lex Mercatoria Rediviva 52 If a Ship be broken up, or taken in Pieces..and afterwards..be rebuilt..she is now another, and not the same Ship.
1864 Derby Mercury 7 Dec. The steel pieces were broken up, and the iron ones were beaten up into bars.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues III. 133 He cannot understand how an absolute unity..can be broken up into a number of individuals.
1876 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches I. i. ii. 54 Heraclius succeeded in..breaking up the Persian power.
2. To rend or tear: see 2a.
3. To cut up, carve: see 2b.
4. [ < 2f.] To dissolve, disband, put an end to, give up; as in to break a regiment, gang, parliament (obsolete); to break up a house, household, housekeeping, school, an assembly. Colloquial phrase break it up: (a) imperative disperse; stop (a fight); (b) U.S. (see quot. 1946).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > a company or assembly
dissever1393
parta1400
skaila1400
to break up1483
disassemble1550
dismiss1582
disband1591
unflock1611
revoke1675
break1685
bust1855
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > separation or isolation > separate or isolate [verb (transitive)] > dissolve or break up
to part companya1400
to break up1483
disband1591
break1685
society > armed hostility > peace > pacification > make peace [verb (intransitive)] > part combatants
to part a fight (also fray)1533
stickle1693
break it up1936
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > applaud [phrase] > bring down the house
break it up1946
1483 Act 1 Rich. III ii Many worshipful Men..were compelled by Necessity to break up their Housholds.
c1500 Song in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 117 To brek upe the scole.
1647 N. Ward Simple Cobler Aggawam 12 Glad to heare the Devill is breaking up house in England, and removing somewhether else.
1721 London Gaz. No. 5977/2 They..broke up their Assembly.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple II. x. 159 My uncle..had..broken up his housekeeping.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 67 We fairly gave way and broke up the company.
1936 S. Kingsley Dead End ii. 113 Break it up!.. Come on, break it up!..go on home! Go on, break it up!
1946 M. Mezzrow & B. Wolfe Really Blues 371 Break it up, bring the house down.
1947 ‘N. Blake’ Minute for Murder vii. 149 A policeman..forced his way..through the crowd, shouting ‘..Stand aside! Break it up!’
1959 Encounter Aug. 28/2 If someone had stepped in and said, ‘break it up’,..all would have gone well.
5. absol. and intransitive < 4 spec. of a school.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > separation or isolation > separate [verb (intransitive)]
dealc1000
to make separationc1450
to break up1535
diverta1575
disjoina1642
unherd1661
separate1690
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
enisle1852
segregate1863
bust1880
isolate1988
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > break up (of an assembly)
sunderc1225
dissolvea1535
to break up1535
disband1598
dissemblea1626
dismiss1809
separate1885
to let out1888
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Isa. xxxvii. F So Sennacherib the kinge of the Assirians brake vp, and dwelt at Niniue.
c1600 Wriothesley's Chron. Eng. (1875) I. 52 The twentith daie of Julie, the Convocation brooke upp at Poules.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. 14 b Euery one bethinking how he might priuly breake vp, and steale home to resist the Enemy.
1612 M. Drayton Poly-olbion v. 77 Then vp the Session brake.
1707 C. Mordaunt Let. 5 May in E. Hamilton Mordaunts (1965) iv. 74 Wee break up the Saturday after next and I desiare if you be in town to send for me.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela II. 364 When you break up next, my Dear, said he, if you're a good Girl, you shall make your new Aunt a Visit.
a1855 C. Brontë in Cornhill Mag. (1860) Apr. 495 I wrote..to the friends of my pupils, notifying the day when we break up.
1882 Boy's Own P. IV. 283 A few days later the school broke up for the summer holidays.
6. transitive. [ < 5.] To open up (ground) with the spade or plough.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > cultivation or tillage > breaking up land > ploughing > plough (land) [verb (transitive)]
eareOE
till1377
plough1423
break1499
sheugh1513
ayrec1540
to break up1557
furrow1576
spit1648
whelm1652
manage1655
hack1732
thorough1733
to plough in1764
rout1836
1557 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandrie sig. B.iiii In January husbandes..will breake vp their lay.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. iv. 3 Breake vp your fallow ground. View more context for this quotation
1771 T. Smollett Humphry Clinker II. 95 The roads, having been broke up by the heavy rains in the spring, were..rough.
1787 G. Winter New Syst. Husbandry 129 The beginning of October is the best season for breaking-up old pasture-lands.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > eruption > erupt [verb (intransitive)]
to break out1535
burst1552
to break up1561
to come out1565
erump1657
1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig Most Excellent Homish Apothecarye f. 1 [It] maketh the skin stronge, harde, and also cleane, that it break vp no more.
8. [ < 8b.] Of frost, (formerly) of an epidemic: To give way, cease. Of any kind of weather: to change.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > end or extremity > come to an end [verb (intransitive)]
finea1300
cease1382
fall1523
to break up1544
to blow off1633
subside1654
peter1846
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > [verb (intransitive)] > change
to break up1544
break1887
1544 Late Exped. Scotl. sig. C.iiv And for asmoch as the myst yet contynued and dyd not breake..we concluded if the wether did not breake vp, to haue encamped our selues vpon the same ground.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) ii. ix. sig. T3 The weather breaking vp, they were brought to the maine lande of Pontus.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §383 In Barbary, the Plagues break up in the Summer Moneths.
1801 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) IV. 355 Before the frost broke up at Cronstadt.
9. [ < 12c.] To fail in physical organization.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > open [verb (transitive)] > open by freeing of obstruction > by barriers or chains
breaka1000
to break up1523
unchain1616
unbarricade1623
disbar1636
unbank1842
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cccxxii. 501 With great axes they brake vp the dore.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Breake vp a wryt or letter, resigno.
1578 T. Tymme tr. J. Calvin Comm. Genesis 199 The Lord brake up the floodgates of the waters.
1646 Burd. Issach. in Phenix (1708) II. 309 If any should offer violence to break up the Doors.
1682 J. Bunyan Holy War 278 When we had broken it [sc. the letter] up, and had read the Contents thereof. View more context for this quotation
1700 R. Blackmore Paraphr. Job xxiv. 108 He in the Dark Breaks Houses up, on which he set his mark.
1712 H. Prideaux Direct. Church-wardens (ed. 4) 87 If any Person doth in the Night-time break up the Church.
1827 T. Carlyle tr. J. P. F. Richter in German Romance III. 223 Fixlein..broke up the presentation as his own.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > become open [verb (intransitive)] > spring or burst open
flusha1300
unspringa1400
leap1477
to break up1528
burst1590
fly1633
1528 W. Tyndale Doctr. Treat. (1848) 203 Let the judges..not break up into the consciences of men.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Matt. vi. 20 Where theues nether breake vp nor yet steale.
12. To begin or commence operations upon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)] > set to work upon or begin to deal with
to set about ——a1300
to set upon ——1555
fall1589
to deal on, upon1597
to break up1688
begin1808
to set up1857
1688 London Gaz. No. 2344/4 There was 500 Acres of Fresh Grass..broak up on May Day.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 60. ¶3 As a Mine not broken up.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > manifestation > disclosure or revelation > disclose or make revelations [verb (intransitive)] > be disclosed or revealed
to come to (also in, on) (the) lightOE
sutelea1000
kitheOE
unfoldc1350
disclosea1513
burst1542
to break up1584
to take vent1611
vent1622
bleed1645
emerge1664
to get (also have) vent1668
to get or take wind1668
to stand (appear) confessed1708
eclat1736
perspire1748
transpire1748
to come out1751
develop1805
unroll1807
spunk1808
effloresce1834
to come to the front1871
to show up1879
out1894
evolve1920
to come or crawl out of the woodwork1964
1584 J. Carmichael Let. in D. Laing Misc. Wodrow Soc. (1844) 418 The murder of the Prince of Orange first brack up and came by speciall post.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > flower or flowering plant > be a flowering plant [verb (intransitive)] > flower or blossom
blossomc890
blowc1000
flower13..
blooma1325
breakc1325
lancec1330
flourishc1386
to break up?a1500
knopa1584
effloresce1775
outbreak1870
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Lion & Mouse l. 1339 in Poems (1981) 54 The blossummis blythe brak vp on bank and bra.
15. transitive. To disconcert, upset, disturb; to excite; spec. (originally U.S.) to convulse with laughter. Also intransitive. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > be in state of nervous excitement [verb (intransitive)]
to take ona1450
seethe1609
trepidate1623
to take on oneself1632
flutter1668
pother1715
to be upon the nettle (also in a nettle)1723
to be nerve all over1778
to be all nerve1819
to be (all) on wires1824
to break up1825
to carry on1828
to be on (occasionally upon or on the) edge1872
faff1874
to have kittens1900
flap1910
to be in, get in(to), a flap1939
to go sparec1942
to keep (also blow, lose) one's cool1964
faffle1965
to get one's knickers in a twist1971
to have a canary1971
to wet one's pants1979
tweak1981
the mind > emotion > excitement > nervous excitement > cause nervous excitement or agitate [verb (transitive)]
to carry away?1529
agitate1591
fermentate1599
tumultuate1616
alarm1620
overwork1645
uncalm1650
flutter1664
pother1692
to set afloata1713
fluctuate1788
fuss1816
tumult1819
to break up1825
rile1857
to steam up1860
to shake up1884
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > laugh convulsively or immoderately
chuckle1598
to split (also break, burst, etc.) one's sides1598
to die with, or of laughing1609
to hold one's sides1609
to laugh till (also until) one cries1611
split1688
to burst one's sides1712
shake1729
to shake one's sides1736
to laugh oneself sick (also silly)1773
roll1819
to laugh one's head off1871
to break up1895
to fall about1918
pee1946
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > cause laughter [verb (transitive)] > convulse with laughter
shake?1606
convulse1751
to break up1895
slay1927
kill1938
fracture1946
1825 J. Constable Let. 23 Oct. (1964) II. 404 She says, her sister is going to be married—& that she fears it will break her up.
1860 O. W. Holmes Professor at Breakfast-table i. 12 This episode broke me up, as the jockeys say, out of my square conversational trot; but I settled down to it again.
1895 ‘M. Twain’ in N. Amer. Rev. Jan. 61 Well, humour is the great thing, the saving thing,..so, when M. Bourget said that bright thing about our grandfathers, I broke all up.
1895 Harper's Mag. Sept. 545/2 A most pathetic stream of arguments and blasphemy, which broke Joan all up, and made her laugh as she had not laughed since she played in the Domremy pastures.
1902 L. L. Bell Hope Loring 240 What language you use!.. If you knew how it breaks me up when you use slang!
1959 H. Gardner So what else is New? 2 The remark broke up the other people in the elevator, but the diminutive culprit continued to stare defiance.
1967 New Yorker 21 Jan. 52 The number broke the place up, and Marsala invited me back to play that night.
1968 Listener 4 Jan. 27/3 The camera had only to turn to Tommy Cooper for the audience to break up with laughter.
Draft additions March 2008
to break up.
intransitive. Of an individual: to end a romantic relationship with another. Also (of a couple): to cease to be in a relationship; to separate. Chiefly with reference to non-marital relationships.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > divorce or dissolution > divorce or separate [verb (intransitive)]
divort1581
dismiss1608
unmarry1635
divorce1643
separate1686
to part beds1710
to break a marriage1844
bust1880
to break up1912
split1942
split1942
uncouple1942
1912 S. Pshibishevsky For Happiness in Poet Lore Spring 101 Didn't you write to me that you broke up with her?
1945 Austin (Texas) Amer. 7 Nov. 10 (cartoon caption) Did you have to pick this minute to break up with him? Now we have to pay for the sodas!
1972 G. Lucas et al. Amer. Graffiti (film script) 79 I guess we broke up... I..told her to get out.
1992 M. E. Walsh Moving to Nowhere v. 65 I was always with my mom and dad until they broke up.
2005 N. Hornby Long Way Down 22 You were at the end of the line with your music,..plus you broke up with your girl.
Draft additions June 2015
break and enter n. chiefly Canadian the crime of entering a property by force in order to commit burglary; (also) an instance of this; cf. breaking and entering at breaking n. 1c.
ΚΠ
1937 Brandon (Manitoba) Sun 1 Feb. 1/5 (heading) Robber got very small haul in break and enter over week-end.
1977 Globe & Mail (Toronto) (Nexis) 29 Nov. An appeal by the accused against his conviction on a charge of four counts of break and enter.
1991 L. Shorten Without Reserve v. 127 The break-and-enter wasn't my first charge, eh. My first charge, I had attempted assault with a deadly weapon.
2005 Metro (Toronto) 14 Nov. 27/4 Loren starts using..crystal meth and taking part in break and enters.
Draft additions June 2016
Baseball. Of a pitched baseball: to curve or drop just before reaching the batter.
ΚΠ
1905 St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Disp. 23 Apr. iii. 5/6 The deceptive feature of this delivery is the fact that it is nothing but a straight fast ball until just as the batter swings at it, then it ‘breaks’ sharply.
1931 D. Runyon in Collier's 25 Apr. 38/2 I take a good wind-up..but..the ball does not break as I expect.
1963 Press-Courier (Oxnard, Calif.) 10 May 14/1 The speed of the pitching is about the same in the two games, but the ball breaks differently.
2004 B. James & R. Neyer Neyer/James Guide Pitchers 173/2 I could make it [sc. the baseball] break any of three ways: down, out, or down and out.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1888; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
> see also
also refers to : break-comb. form
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n.1a1400
n.21831
v.851see also