[breɪk], (Verb)

Definitions:
- separate or cause to separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain
(e.g: the branch broke with a loud snap)

- interrupt (a sequence, course, or continuous state)
(e.g: this broke the pattern of generations remaining in the place where they were born)

- fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement)
(e.g: the council says it will prosecute traders who break the law)

- crush the emotional strength, spirit, or resistance of
(e.g: the idea was to better the prisoners, not to break them)

- (of the weather) change suddenly, especially after a fine spell
(e.g: the weather broke and thunder rumbled through a leaden sky)

- (of news or a scandal) suddenly become public
(e.g: since the news broke I've received thousands of wonderful letters)

- (chiefly of an attacking player or team, or of a military force) make a rush or dash in a particular direction
(e.g: Mitchell won possession and broke quickly, allowing Hughes to score)


Phrases:
- a clean break
- break a leg!
- break bad
- break even
- break free
- break in two
- break of day
- break one's back
- break ship
- break someone's fall
- break someone's serve
- break something open
- break the back of
- break wind
- give someone a break
- make a break for
- them's the breaks

Origin:
Old English brecan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch breken and German brechen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin frangere ‘to break’

[breɪk], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an interruption of continuity or uniformity
(e.g: the magazine has been published without a break since 1950)

- a pause in work or during an activity or event
(e.g: I need a break from mental activity)

- a gap or opening
(e.g: the track bends left through a break in the hedge)

- an instance of breaking something, or the point where something is broken
(e.g: he was stretchered off with a break to the leg)

- a rush or dash in a particular direction, especially by an attacking player or team
(e.g: Norwich scored on a rare break with 11 minutes left)

- an opportunity or chance, especially one leading to professional success
(e.g: he got his break as an entertainer on a TV music hall show)

- a consecutive series of successful shots, scoring a specified number of points
(e.g: a break of 83 put him in front for the first time)

- a bud or shoot sprouting from a stem


Phrases:
- a clean break
- break a leg!
- break bad
- break even
- break free
- break in two
- break of day
- break one's back
- break ship
- break someone's fall
- break someone's serve
- break something open
- break the back of
- break wind
- give someone a break
- make a break for
- them's the breaks

Origin:
Old English brecan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch breken and German brechen, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin frangere ‘to break’

[breɪk], (Noun)

Definitions:



Phrases:

Origin:
mid 19th century: perhaps from 16th-century brake ‘cage’, later ‘framework’, of unknown origin