breakable

break ► VERB (past broke; past part. broken) 1) separate into pieces as a result of a blow, shock, or strain. 2) make or become inoperative; stop working. 3) interrupt (a continuity, sequence, or course). 4) fail to observe (a law, regulation, or agreement). 5) crush the strength or spirit of. 6) surpass (a record). 7) succeed in deciphering (a code). 8) make a sudden rush or dash. 9) lessen the impact of (a fall). 10) suddenly make or become public. 11) (of a person's voice) falter and change tone. 12) (of a boy's voice) change in tone and register at puberty. 13) (of the weather) change suddenly, especially after a fine spell. 14) (of a storm) begin violently. 15) (of dawn or a day) begin as the sun rises. 16) use (a banknote) to pay for something and receive change. 17) make the first stroke at the beginning of a game of billiards, pool, or snooker.

► NOUN 1) an interruption, pause, or gap. 2) a short rest or pause in work. 3) an instance of breaking, or the point where something is broken. 4) a sudden rush or dash. 5) informal an opportunity or chance. 6) (also break of serve or service break) Tennis the winning of a game against an opponent's serve. 7) Snooker & Billiards a consecutive series of successful shots. 8) a short s olo in jazz or popular music.

● break away — Cf. ↑break away

● break one's back (or neck) — Cf. ↑break one's neck

● break the back of — Cf. ↑break the back of

● break cover — Cf. ↑break cover

● break down — Cf. ↑break down

● break in — Cf. ↑break in

● breaking and entering — Cf. ↑breaking and entering

● break into — Cf. ↑break into

● break a leg! — Cf. ↑break a leg!

● break of day — Cf. ↑break of day

● break off — Cf. ↑break off

● break out — Cf. ↑break out

● break out in — Cf. ↑break out in

● break someone's serve — Cf. ↑break someone's serve

● break up — Cf. ↑break up

● break wind — Cf. ↑break wind

● break with — Cf. ↑break with

● give someone a br eak — Cf. ↑give someone a br eak

DERIVATIVES breakable adjective.

ORIGIN Old English.