Break |
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. |
v. t. |
Break |
To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods. |
v. t. |
Break |
To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. |
v. t. |
Break |
To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. |
v. t. |
Break |
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. |
v. t. |
Break |
To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set. |
v. t. |
Break |
To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares. |
v. t. |
Break |
To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. |
v. t. |
Break |
To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill. |
v. t. |
Break |
To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax. |
v. t. |
Break |
To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. |
v. t. |
Break |
To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. |
v. t. |
Break |
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. |
v. t. |
Break |
To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle. |
v. t. |
Break |
To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. |
v. t. |
Break |
To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. |
v. t. |
Break |
To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. |
v. i. |
Break |
To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag. |
v. i. |
Break |
To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn. |
v. i. |
Break |
To burst forth violently, as a storm. |
v. i. |