break

break is a Verb

Definition:

[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.

[2] To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods.

[3] To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate. Katharine, break thy mind to me. Shak.

[4] To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise. Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. Milton

[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. Go, release them, Ariel; My charms I`ll break, their senses I`ll restore. Shak.

[6] To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set.

[7] To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares.

[8] To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments. The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity. Prescott.

[9] To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill.

[10] To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax.

[11] To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind. An old man, broken with the storms of state. Shak.

[12] To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow. I`ll rather leap down first, and break your fall. Dryden.

[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.

[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. Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute Shak.

[15] To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin. With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks, Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks. Dryden.

[16] To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss. I see a great officer broken. Swift.