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slovo definícia To break (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster]

podobné slovo definícia you have to break an egg to make an omelette (encz) You have to break an egg to make an omelette,Když se kácí les, létají třísky [fráz.] Ivan Masár To break a code (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break a deer (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break a house (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break a jest (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break a lance (gcide) Lance \Lance\ (l[a^]ns), n. [OE. lance, F. lance, fr. L. lancea; cf. Gr. lo`gchh. Cf. Launch.] 1. A weapon of war, consisting of a long shaft or handle and a steel blade or head; a spear carried by horsemen, and often decorated with a small flag; also, a spear or harpoon used by whalers and fishermen. [1913 Webster] A braver soldier never couched lance. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. A soldier armed with a lance; a lancer. [1913 Webster] 3. (Founding) A small iron rod which suspends the core of the mold in casting a shell. [1913 Webster] 4. (Mil.) An instrument which conveys the charge of a piece of ordnance and forces it home. [1913 Webster] 5. (Pyrotech.) One of the small paper cases filled with combustible composition, which mark the outlines of a figure. [1913 Webster] 6. (Med.) A lancet. [PJC] Free lance, in the Middle Ages, and subsequently, a knight or roving soldier, who was free to engage for any state or commander that purchased his services; hence, a person who assails institutions or opinions on his own responsibility without regard to party lines or deference to authority. See also freelance, n. and a., and freelancer. Lance bucket (Cavalry), a socket attached to a saddle or stirrup strap, in which to rest the but of a lance. Lance corporal, same as Lancepesade. Lance knight, a lansquenet. --B. Jonson. Lance snake (Zool.), the fer-de-lance. Stink-fire lance (Mil.), a kind of fuse filled with a composition which burns with a suffocating odor; -- used in the counter operations of miners. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. [1913 Webster]Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break a path (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break a stag (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break away (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break bulk (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster]Bulk \Bulk\ (b[u^]lk), n. [OE. bulke, bolke, heap; cf. Dan. bulk lump, clod, OSw. bolk crowd, mass, Icel. b?lkast to be bulky. Cf. Boll, n., Bile a boil, Bulge, n.] 1. Magnitude of material substance; dimensions; mass; size; as, an ox or ship of great bulk. [1913 Webster] Against these forces there were prepared near one hundred ships; not so great of bulk indeed, but of a more nimble motion, and more serviceable. --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. The main mass or body; the largest or principal portion; the majority; as, the bulk of a debt. [1913 Webster] The bulk of the people must labor, Burke told them, "to obtain what by labor can be obtained." --J. Morley. [1913 Webster] 3. (Naut.) The cargo of a vessel when stowed. [1913 Webster] 4. The body. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster] My liver leaped within my bulk. --Turbervile. [1913 Webster] Barrel bulk. See under Barrel. To break bulk (Naut.), to begin to unload or more the cargo. In bulk, in a mass; loose; not inclosed in separate packages or divided into separate parts; in such shape that any desired quantity may be taken or sold. Laden in bulk, Stowed in bulk, having the cargo loose in the hold or not inclosed in boxes, bales, or casks. Sale by bulk, a sale of goods as they are, without weight or measure. [1913 Webster] Syn: Size; magnitude; dimension; volume; bigness; largeness; massiveness. [1913 Webster] To break cover (gcide) Cover \Cov"er\ (k?v"?r), n. 1. Anything which is laid, set, or spread, upon, about, or over, another thing; an envelope; a lid; as, the cover of a book. [1913 Webster] 2. Anything which veils or conceals; a screen; disguise; a cloak. "Under cover of the night." -- Macaulay. [1913 Webster] A handsome cover for imperfections. --Collier. [1913 Webster] 3. Shelter; protection; as, the troops fought under cover of the batteries; the woods afforded a good cover. [1913 Webster] Being compelled to lodge in the field . . . whilst his army was under cover, they might be forced to retire. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster] 4. (Hunting) The woods, underbrush, etc., which shelter and conceal game; covert; as, to beat a cover; to ride to cover. [1913 Webster] 5. That portion of a slate, tile, or shingle, which is hidden by the overlap of the course above. --Knight. [1913 Webster] 6. (Steam Engine) The lap of a slide valve. [1913 Webster] 7. [Cf. F. couvert.] A tablecloth, and the other table furniture; esp., the table furniture for the use of one person at a meal; as, covers were laid for fifty guests. [1913 Webster] To break cover, to start from a covert or lair; -- said of game. Under cover, in an envelope, or within a letter; -- said of a written message. [1913 Webster] Letters . . . dispatched under cover to her ladyship. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster]Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break down (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster]Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break fast (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break forth (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break from (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break gates (gcide) Gate \Gate\ (g[=a]t), n. [OE. [yogh]et, [yogh]eat, giat, gate, door, AS. geat, gat, gate, door; akin to OS., D., & Icel. gat opening, hole, and perh. to E. gate a way, gait, and get, v. Cf. Gate a way, 3d Get.] 1. A large door or passageway in the wall of a city, of an inclosed field or place, or of a grand edifice, etc.; also, the movable structure of timber, metal, etc., by which the passage can be closed. [1913 Webster] 2. An opening for passage in any inclosing wall, fence, or barrier; or the suspended framework which closes or opens a passage. Also, figuratively, a means or way of entrance or of exit. [1913 Webster] Knowest thou the way to Dover? Both stile and gate, horse way and footpath. --Shak. [1913 Webster] Opening a gate for a long war. --Knolles. [1913 Webster] 3. A door, valve, or other device, for stopping the passage of water through a dam, lock, pipe, etc. [1913 Webster] 4. (Script.) The places which command the entrances or access; hence, place of vantage; power; might. [1913 Webster] The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. --Matt. xvi. 18. [1913 Webster] 5. In a lock tumbler, the opening for the stump of the bolt to pass through or into. [1913 Webster] 6. (Founding) (a) The channel or opening through which metal is poured into the mold; the ingate. (b) The waste piece of metal cast in the opening; a sprue or sullage piece. [Written also geat and git.] [1913 Webster] Gate chamber, a recess in the side wall of a canal lock, which receives the opened gate. Gate channel. See Gate, 5. Gate hook, the hook-formed piece of a gate hinge. Gate money, entrance money for admission to an inclosure. Gate tender, one in charge of a gate, as at a railroad crossing. Gate valva, a stop valve for a pipe, having a sliding gate which affords a straight passageway when open. Gate vein (Anat.), the portal vein. To break gates (Eng. Univ.), to enter a college inclosure after the hour to which a student has been restricted. To stand in the gate or To stand in the gates, to occupy places or advantage, power, or defense. [1913 Webster] To break ground (gcide) ground \ground\ (ground), n. [OE. ground, grund, AS. grund; akin to D. grond, OS., G., Sw., & Dan. grund, Icel. grunnr bottom, Goth. grundus (in composition); perh. orig. meaning, dust, gravel, and if so perh. akin to E. grind.] 1. The surface of the earth; the outer crust of the globe, or some indefinite portion of it. [1913 Webster] There was not a man to till the ground. --Gen. ii. 5. [1913 Webster] The fire ran along upon the ground. --Ex. ix. 23. Hence: A floor or pavement supposed to rest upon the earth. [1913 Webster] 2. Any definite portion of the earth's surface; region; territory; country. Hence: A territory appropriated to, or resorted to, for a particular purpose; the field or place of action; as, a hunting or fishing ground; a play ground. [1913 Webster] From . . . old Euphrates, to the brook that parts Egypt from Syrian ground. --Milton. [1913 Webster] 3. Land; estate; possession; field; esp. (pl.), the gardens, lawns, fields, etc., belonging to a homestead; as, the grounds of the estate are well kept. [1913 Webster] Thy next design is on thy neighbor's grounds. --Dryden. 4. [1913 Webster] 4. The basis on which anything rests; foundation. Hence: The foundation of knowledge, belief, or conviction; a premise, reason, or datum; ultimate or first principle; cause of existence or occurrence; originating force or agency; as, the ground of my hope. [1913 Webster] 5. (Paint. & Decorative Art) (a) That surface upon which the figures of a composition are set, and which relieves them by its plainness, being either of one tint or of tints but slightly contrasted with one another; as, crimson Bowers on a white ground. See Background, Foreground, and Middle-ground. (b) In sculpture, a flat surface upon which figures are raised in relief. (c) In point lace, the net of small meshes upon which the embroidered pattern is applied; as, Brussels ground. See Brussels lace, under Brussels. [1913 Webster] 6. (Etching) A gummy composition spread over the surface of a metal to be etched, to prevent the acid from eating except where an opening is made by the needle. [1913 Webster] 7. (Arch.) One of the pieces of wood, flush with the plastering, to which moldings, etc., are attached; -- usually in the plural. [1913 Webster] Note: Grounds are usually put up first and the plastering floated flush with them. [1913 Webster] 8. (Mus.) (a) A composition in which the bass, consisting of a few bars of independent notes, is continually repeated to a varying melody. (b) The tune on which descants are raised; the plain song. --Moore (Encyc.). [1913 Webster] On that ground I'll build a holy descant. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 9. (Elec.) A conducting connection with the earth, whereby the earth is made part of an electrical circuit. [1913 Webster] 10. pl. Sediment at the bottom of liquors or liquids; dregs; lees; feces; as, coffee grounds. [1913 Webster] 11. The pit of a theater. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster] Ground angling, angling with a weighted line without a float. Ground annual (Scots Law), an estate created in land by a vassal who instead of selling his land outright reserves an annual ground rent, which becomes a perpetual charge upon the land. Ground ash. (Bot.) See Groutweed. Ground bailiff (Mining), a superintendent of mines. --Simmonds. Ground bait, bits of bread, boiled barley or worms, etc., thrown into the water to collect the fish, --Wallon. Ground bass or Ground base (Mus.), fundamental base; a fundamental base continually repeated to a varied melody. Ground beetle (Zool.), one of numerous species of carnivorous beetles of the family Carabid[ae], living mostly in burrows or under stones, etc. Ground chamber, a room on the ground floor. Ground cherry. (Bot.) (a) A genus (Physalis) of herbaceous plants having an inflated calyx for a seed pod: esp., the strawberry tomato (Physalis Alkekengi). See Alkekengl. (b) A European shrub (Prunus Cham[ae]cerasus), with small, very acid fruit. Ground cuckoo. (Zool.) See Chaparral cock. Ground cypress. (Bot.) See Lavender cotton. Ground dove (Zool.), one of several small American pigeons of the genus Columbigallina, esp. C. passerina of the Southern United States, Mexico, etc. They live chiefly on the ground. Ground fish (Zool.), any fish which constantly lives on the botton of the sea, as the sole, turbot, halibut. Ground floor, the floor of a house most nearly on a level with the ground; -- called also in America, but not in England, the first floor. Ground form (Gram.), the stem or basis of a word, to which the other parts are added in declension or conjugation. It is sometimes, but not always, the same as the root. Ground furze (Bot.), a low slightly thorny, leguminous shrub (Ononis arvensis) of Europe and Central Asia,; -- called also rest-harrow. Ground game, hares, rabbits, etc., as distinguished from winged game. Ground hele (Bot.), a perennial herb ({Veronica officinalis}) with small blue flowers, common in Europe and America, formerly thought to have curative properties. Ground of the heavens (Astron.), the surface of any part of the celestial sphere upon which the stars may be regarded as projected. Ground hemlock (Bot.), the yew (Taxus baccata var. Canadensisi) of eastern North America, distinguished from that of Europe by its low, straggling stems. Ground hog. (Zool.) (a) The woodchuck or American marmot (Arctomys monax). See Woodchuck. (b) The aardvark. Ground hold (Naut.), ground tackle. [Obs.] --Spenser. Ground ice, ice formed at the bottom of a body of water before it forms on the surface. Ground ivy. (Bot.) A trailing plant; alehoof. See Gill. Ground joist, a joist for a basement or ground floor; a. sleeper. Ground lark (Zool.), the European pipit. See Pipit. Ground laurel (Bot.). See Trailing arbutus, under Arbutus. Ground line (Descriptive Geom.), the line of intersection of the horizontal and vertical planes of projection. Ground liverwort (Bot.), a flowerless plant with a broad flat forking thallus and the fruit raised on peduncled and radiated receptacles (Marchantia polymorpha). Ground mail, in Scotland, the fee paid for interment in a churchyard. Ground mass (Geol.), the fine-grained or glassy base of a rock, in which distinct crystals of its constituents are embedded. Ground parrakeet (Zool.), one of several Australian parrakeets, of the genera Callipsittacus and Geopsittacus, which live mainly upon the ground. Ground pearl (Zool.), an insect of the family Coccid[ae] (Margarodes formicarum), found in ants' nests in the Bahamas, and having a shelly covering. They are strung like beads, and made into necklaces by the natives. Ground pig (Zool.), a large, burrowing, African rodent (Aulacodus Swinderianus) about two feet long, allied to the porcupines but with harsh, bristly hair, and no spines; -- called also ground rat. Ground pigeon (Zool.), one of numerous species of pigeons which live largely upon the ground, as the tooth-billed pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris), of the Samoan Islands, and the crowned pigeon, or goura. See Goura, and Ground dove (above). Ground pine. (Bot.) (a) A blue-flowered herb of the genus Ajuga ({A. Cham[ae]pitys}), formerly included in the genus Teucrium or germander, and named from its resinous smell. --Sir J. Hill. (b) A long, creeping, evergreen plant of the genus Lycopodium (L. clavatum); -- called also {club moss}. (c) A tree-shaped evergreen plant about eight inches in height, of the same genus (L. dendroideum) found in moist, dark woods in the northern part of the United States. --Gray. Ground plan (Arch.), a plan of the ground floor of any building, or of any floor, as distinguished from an elevation or perpendicular section. Ground plane, the horizontal plane of projection in perspective drawing. Ground plate. (a) (Arch.) One of the chief pieces of framing of a building; a timber laid horizontally on or near the ground to support the uprights; a ground sill or groundsel. (b) (Railroads) A bed plate for sleepers or ties; a mudsill. (c) (Teleg.) A metallic plate buried in the earth to conduct the electric current thereto. Connection to the pipes of a gas or water main is usual in cities. --Knight. Ground plot, the ground upon which any structure is erected; hence, any basis or foundation; also, a ground plan. Ground plum (Bot.), a leguminous plant ({Astragalus caryocarpus}) occurring from the Saskatchewan to Texas, and having a succulent plum-shaped pod. Ground rat. (Zool.) See Ground pig (above). Ground rent, rent paid for the privilege of building on another man's land. Ground robin. (Zool.) See Chewink. Ground room, a room on the ground floor; a lower room. --Tatler. Ground sea, the West Indian name for a swell of the ocean, which occurs in calm weather and without obvious cause, breaking on the shore in heavy roaring billows; -- called also rollers, and in Jamaica, the North sea. Ground sill. See Ground plate (a) (above). Ground snake (Zool.), a small burrowing American snake (Celuta am[oe]na). It is salmon colored, and has a blunt tail. Ground squirrel. (Zool.) (a) One of numerous species of burrowing rodents of the genera Tamias and Spermophilus, having cheek pouches. The former genus includes the Eastern striped squirrel or chipmunk and some allied Western species; the latter includes the prairie squirrel or striped gopher, the gray gopher, and many allied Western species. See Chipmunk, and Gopher. (b) Any species of the African genus Xerus, allied to Tamias. Ground story. Same as Ground floor (above). Ground substance (Anat.), the intercellular substance, or matrix, of tissues. Ground swell. (a) (Bot.) The plant groundsel. [Obs.] --Holland. (b) A broad, deep swell or undulation of the ocean, caused by a long continued gale, and felt even at a remote distance after the gale has ceased. Ground table. (Arch.) See Earth table, under Earth. Ground tackle (Naut.), the tackle necessary to secure a vessel at anchor. --Totten. Ground thrush (Zool.), one of numerous species of bright-colored Oriental birds of the family Pittid[ae]. See Pitta. Ground tier. (a) The lowest tier of water casks in a vessel's hold. --Totten. (b) The lowest line of articles of any kind stowed in a vessel's hold. (c) The lowest range of boxes in a theater. Ground timbers (Shipbuilding) the timbers which lie on the keel and are bolted to the keelson; floor timbers. --Knight. Ground tit. (Zool.) See Ground wren (below). Ground wheel, that wheel of a harvester, mowing machine, etc., which, rolling on the ground, drives the mechanism. Ground wren (Zool.), a small California bird ({Cham[ae]a fasciata}) allied to the wrens and titmice. It inhabits the arid plains. Called also ground tit, and wren tit. To bite the ground, To break ground. See under Bite, Break. To come to the ground, To fall to the ground, to come to nothing; to fail; to miscarry. To gain ground. (a) To advance; to proceed forward in conflict; as, an army in battle gains ground. (b) To obtain an advantage; to have some success; as, the army gains ground on the enemy. (c) To gain credit; to become more prosperous or influential. To get ground, or To gather ground, to gain ground. [R.] "Evening mist . . . gathers ground fast." --Milton. [1913 Webster] There is no way for duty to prevail, and get ground of them, but by bidding higher. --South. To give ground, to recede; to yield advantage. [1913 Webster] These nine . . . began to give me ground. --Shak. To lose ground, to retire; to retreat; to withdraw from the position taken; hence, to lose advantage; to lose credit or reputation; to decline. To stand one's ground, to stand firm; to resist attack or encroachment. --Atterbury. To take the ground to touch bottom or become stranded; -- said of a ship. [1913 Webster]Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break in (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break in upon (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break into (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break jail (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break joints (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break loose (gcide) Loose \Loose\ (l[=oo]s), a. [Compar. Looser (l[=oo]s"[~e]r); superl. Loosest.] [OE. loos, lous, laus, Icel. lauss; akin to OD. loos, D. los, AS. le['a]s false, deceitful, G. los, loose, Dan. & Sw. l["o]s, Goth. laus, and E. lose. [root]127. See Lose, and cf. Leasing falsehood.] 1. Unbound; untied; unsewed; not attached, fastened, fixed, or confined; as, the loose sheets of a book. [1913 Webster] Her hair, nor loose, nor tied in formal plat. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. Free from constraint or obligation; not bound by duty, habit, etc.; -- with from or of. [1913 Webster] Now I stand Loose of my vow; but who knows Cato's thoughts ? --Addison. [1913 Webster] 3. Not tight or close; as, a loose garment. [1913 Webster] 4. Not dense, close, compact, or crowded; as, a cloth of loose texture. [1913 Webster] With horse and chariots ranked in loose array. --Milton. [1913 Webster] 5. Not precise or exact; vague; indeterminate; as, a loose style, or way of reasoning. [1913 Webster] The comparison employed . . . must be considered rather as a loose analogy than as an exact scientific explanation. --Whewel. [1913 Webster] 6. Not strict in matters of morality; not rigid according to some standard of right. [1913 Webster] The loose morality which he had learned. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] 7. Unconnected; rambling. [1913 Webster] Vario spends whole mornings in running over loose and unconnected pages. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster] 8. Lax; not costive; having lax bowels. --Locke. [1913 Webster] 9. Dissolute; unchaste; as, a loose man or woman. [1913 Webster] Loose ladies in delight. --Spenser. [1913 Webster] 10. Containing or consisting of obscene or unchaste language; as, a loose epistle. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] At loose ends, not in order; in confusion; carelessly managed. Fast and loose. See under Fast. To break loose. See under Break. Loose pulley. (Mach.) See Fast and loose pulleys, under Fast. To let loose, to free from restraint or confinement; to set at liberty. [1913 Webster]Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break no squares (gcide) Square \Square\ (skw[^a]r), n. [OF. esquarre, esquierre, F. ['e]querre a carpenter's square (cf. It. squadra), fr. (assumed) LL. exquadrare to make square; L. ex + quadrus a square, fr. quattuor four. See Four, and cf. Quadrant, Squad, Squire a square.] 1. (Geom.) (a) The corner, or angle, of a figure. [Obs.] (b) A parallelogram having four equal sides and four right angles. [1913 Webster] 2. Hence, anything which is square, or nearly so; as: (a) A square piece or fragment. [1913 Webster] He bolted his food down his capacious throat in squares of three inches. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] (b) A pane of glass. (c) (Print.) A certain number of lines, forming a portion of a column, nearly square; -- used chiefly in reckoning the prices of advertisements in newspapers. (d) (Carp.) One hundred superficial feet. [1913 Webster] 3. An area of four sides, generally with houses on each side; sometimes, a solid block of houses; also, an open place or area for public use, as at the meeting or intersection of two or more streets. [1913 Webster] The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town. --Addison. [1913 Webster] 4. (Mech. & Joinery) An instrument having at least one right angle and two or more straight edges, used to lay out or test square work. It is of several forms, as the T square, the carpenter's square, the try-square., etc. [1913 Webster] 5. Hence, a pattern or rule. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 6. (Arith. & Alg.) The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; thus, 64 is the square of 8, for 8 [times] 8 = 64; the square of a + b is a^2 + 2ab + b^2. [1913 Webster] 7. Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] They of Galatia [were] much more out of square. --Hooker. [1913 Webster] I have not kept my square. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 8. (Mil.) A body of troops formed in a square, esp. one formed to resist a charge of cavalry; a squadron. "The brave squares of war." --Shak. [1913 Webster] 9. Fig.: The relation of harmony, or exact agreement; equality; level. [1913 Webster] We live not on the square with such as these. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 10. (Astrol.) The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 11. The act of squaring, or quarreling; a quarrel. [R.] [1913 Webster] 12. The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster] fair and square in a fair, straightforward, and honest manner; justly; as, he beat me fair and square. Geometrical square. See Quadrat, n., 2. Hollow square (Mil.), a formation of troops in the shape of a square, each side consisting of four or five ranks, and the colors, officers, horses, etc., occupying the middle. Least square, Magic square, etc. See under Least, Magic, etc. On the square, or Upon the square, (a) in an open, fair manner; honestly, or upon honor; justly. [Obs or Colloq.] (b) at right angles. On the square with, or Upon the square with, upon equality with; even with. --Nares. To be all squares, to be all settled. [Colloq.] --Dickens. To be at square, to be in a state of quarreling. [Obs.] --Nares. To break no squares, to give no offense; to make no difference. [Obs.] To break squares, to depart from an accustomed order. [Obs.] To see how the squares go, to see how the game proceeds; -- a phrase taken from the game of chess, the chessboard being formed with squares. [Obs.] --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break of (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster] To break off (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. t. [imp. broke (br[=o]k), (Obs. Brake); p. p. Broken (br[=o]"k'n), (Obs. Broke); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaking.] [OE. breken, AS. brecan; akin to OS. brekan, D. breken, OHG. brehhan, G. brechen, Icel. braka to creak, Sw. braka, br[aum]kka to crack, Dan. br[ae]kke to break, Goth. brikan to break, L. frangere. Cf. Bray to pound, Breach, Fragile.] 1. To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. [1913 Webster] 3. To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. [1913 Webster] Katharine, break thy mind to me. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 4. To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. [1913 Webster] Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. --Milton [1913 Webster] 5. To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey. [1913 Webster] Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 6. To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. [1913 Webster] 7. To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. [1913 Webster] 8. To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. [1913 Webster] The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. --Prescott. [1913 Webster] 9. To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. [1913 Webster] 10. To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. [1913 Webster] 11. To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. [1913 Webster] An old man, broken with the storms of state. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 12. To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. [1913 Webster] I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 13. To impart, as news or information; to broach; -- with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend. [1913 Webster] 14. To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. "To break a colt." --Spenser. [1913 Webster] Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute? --Shak. [1913 Webster] 15. To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. [1913 Webster] With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 16. To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. [1913 Webster] I see a great officer broken. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To crush; to overwhelm; as, to break down one's strength; to break down opposition. (b) To remove, or open a way through, by breaking; as, to break down a door or wall. To break in. (a) To force in; as, to break in a door. (b) To train; to discipline; as, a horse well broken in. To break of, to rid of; to cause to abandon; as, to break one of a habit. To break off. (a) To separate by breaking; as, to break off a twig. (b) To stop suddenly; to abandon. "Break off thy sins by righteousness." --Dan. iv. 27. To break open, to open by breaking. "Open the door, or I will break it open." --Shak. To break out, to take or force out by breaking; as, to break out a pane of glass. To break out a cargo, to unstow a cargo, so as to unload it easily. To break through. (a) To make an opening through, as, as by violence or the force of gravity; to pass violently through; as, to break through the enemy's lines; to break through the ice. (b) To disregard; as, to break through the ceremony. To break up. (a) To separate into parts; to plow (new or fallow ground). "Break up this capon." --Shak. "Break up your fallow ground." --Jer. iv. 3. (b) To dissolve; to put an end to. "Break up the court." --Shak. To break (one) all up, to unsettle or disconcert completely; to upset. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] Note: With an immediate object: [1913 Webster] To break the back. (a) To dislocate the backbone; hence, to disable totally. (b) To get through the worst part of; as, to break the back of a difficult undertaking. To break bulk, to destroy the entirety of a load by removing a portion of it; to begin to unload; also, to transfer in detail, as from boats to cars. To break a code to discover a method to convert coded messages into the original understandable text. To break cover, to burst forth from a protecting concealment, as game when hunted. To break a deer or To break a stag, to cut it up and apportion the parts among those entitled to a share. To break fast, to partake of food after abstinence. See Breakfast. To break ground. (a) To open the earth as for planting; to commence excavation, as for building, siege operations, and the like; as, to break ground for a foundation, a canal, or a railroad. (b) Fig.: To begin to execute any plan. (c) (Naut.) To release the anchor from the bottom. To break the heart, to crush or overwhelm (one) with grief. To break a house (Law), to remove or set aside with violence and a felonious intent any part of a house or of the fastenings provided to secure it. To break the ice, to get through first difficulties; to overcome obstacles and make a beginning; to introduce a subject. To break jail, to escape from confinement in jail, usually by forcible means. To break a jest, to utter a jest. "Patroclus . . . the livelong day breaks scurril jests." --Shak. To break joints, to lay or arrange bricks, shingles, etc., so that the joints in one course shall not coincide with those in the preceding course. To break a lance, to engage in a tilt or contest. To break the neck, to dislocate the joints of the neck. To break no squares, to create no trouble. [Obs.] To break a path, road, etc., to open a way through obstacles by force or labor. To break upon a wheel, to execute or torture, as a criminal by stretching him upon a wheel, and breaking his limbs with an iron bar; -- a mode of punishment formerly employed in some countries. To break wind, to give vent to wind from the anus. [1913 Webster] Syn: To dispart; rend; tear; shatter; batter; violate; infringe; demolish; destroy; burst; dislocate. [1913 Webster]Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break off from (gcide) Break \Break\ (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. [1913 Webster] Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out. --Math. ix. 17. [1913 Webster] 3. To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. [1913 Webster] The day begins to break, and night is fled. --Shak. [1913 Webster] And from the turf a fountain broke, and gurgled at our feet. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster] 4. To burst forth violently, as a storm. [1913 Webster] The clouds are still above; and, while I speak, A second deluge o'er our head may break. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 5. To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking. [1913 Webster] At length the darkness begins to break. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 6. To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength. [1913 Webster] See how the dean begins to break; Poor gentleman! he droops apace. --Swift. [1913 Webster] 7. To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking. [1913 Webster] 8. To fall in business; to become bankrupt. [1913 Webster] He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty. --Bacn. [1913 Webster] 9. To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop. [1913 Webster] 10. To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty. [1913 Webster] 11. To fall out; to terminate friendship. [1913 Webster] To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited. --Collier. [1913 Webster] Note: With prepositions or adverbs: [1913 Webster] To break away, to disengage one's self abruptly; to come or go away against resistance. [1913 Webster] Fear me not, man; I will not break away. --Shak. [1913 Webster] To break down. (a) To come down by breaking; as, the coach broke down. (b) To fail in any undertaking; to halt before successful completion; as, the negotiations broke down due to irreconcilable demands. (c) To cease functioning or to malfunction; as, the car broke down in the middle of the highway. [1913 Webster +PJC] He had broken down almost at the outset. --Thackeray. [1913 Webster] To break forth, to issue; to come out suddenly, as sound, light, etc. "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning." --Isa. lviii. 8; [1913 Webster] Note: often with into in expressing or giving vent to one's feelings. "Break forth into singing, ye mountains." --Isa. xliv. 23. [1913 Webster] To break from, to go away from abruptly. [1913 Webster] This radiant from the circling crowd he broke. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] To break into, to enter by breaking; as, to break into a house. To break in upon, to enter or approach violently or unexpectedly. "This, this is he; softly awhile; let us not break in upon him." --Milton. To break loose. (a) To extricate one's self forcibly. "Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell?" --Milton. (b) To cast off restraint, as of morals or propriety. To break off. (a) To become separated by rupture, or with suddenness and violence. (b) To desist or cease suddenly. "Nay, forward, old man; do not break off so." --Shak. To break off from, to desist from; to abandon, as a habit. To break out. (a) To burst forth; to escape from restraint; to appear suddenly, as a fire or an epidemic. "For in the wilderness shall waters break out, and stream in the desert." --Isa. xxxv. 6 (b) To show itself in cutaneous eruptions; -- said of a disease. (c) To have a rash or eruption on the akin; -- said of a patient. To break over, to overflow; to go beyond limits. To break up. (a) To become separated into parts or fragments; as, the ice break up in the rivers; the wreck will break up in the next storm. (b) To disperse. "The company breaks up." --I. Watts. To break upon, to discover itself suddenly to; to dawn upon. To break with. (a) To fall out; to sever one's relations with; to part friendship. "It can not be the Volsces dare break with us." --Shak. "If she did not intend to marry Clive, she should have broken with him altogether." --Thackeray. (b) To come to an explanation; to enter into conference; to speak. [Obs.] "I will break with her and with her father." --Shak. [1913 Webster]