In Anglo-Saxon and Norman England: the crime of breaking into a house, spec. in order to assault its occupants.

close-breaking, burglary.

The crime of breaking (formerly by night) into a house with intent to commit felony. Now, a statutory crime of entering a building by day or…

The action or crime of breaking into and entering a house or other building with intent to steal or commit another criminal act.

The act of forcing a passage into another person's house or other building; frequently in breaking and entering, = housebreaking, n.

figurative. Criminals' slang. With the. Illicit or criminal activity; (sometimes) spec. stealing, burglary. Obsolete.

Thieves' slang. House-breaking.

spec. Criminals' slang. The action or an act of burgling a place. Cf. screw, v. 21.

Breaking open (a house); burglary.

House-breaking, burglary. slang.

The crime of breaking into a ship for the purpose of committing a felony.