See Also: Break even(money)
off-break(dictionary)
break-off(dictionary)
break-in(dictionary)
break-(dictionary)
break(2)(dictionary)
break(1)(dictionary)
Break(finance)
Break even(finance)
Break Up(money)

break(1) (iou)



break noun1. ME.
[from the verb.]
An act of breaking or separation; fracture, breakage, severance. ME.
tie-break: see TIE-.
b. The act of breaking electrical contact; the position or condition in which contact is broken. L19.
A broken place, a gap, an opening. ME.
E. Hemingway The last of the sun came through in the breaks between the strips of matting. D. Attenborough We cannot hear a break between sounds of less than one tenth of a second. J. Cheever He noticed..a break in the wall of buildings.
An interruption of continuity or uniformity; a change of direction etc. L15.
clean break: see CLEAN adjective.
R. H. Dana Foster went as far as the break of the deck. S. Hill We were strafed for about three hours without a break.
b. A mark indicating an abrupt pause in print or writing. E18.
c. A short spell of recreation or refreshment in a period of work etc. M19.
coffee-break, tea break, etc.
S. Unwin A short break for a sandwich lunch. F. Raphael The children spilled out for their break like mice. S. Raven Perhaps Georgy and Bessie would like a little trip abroad. We all need a bit of a break.
d. A sudden or sharp fall in share prices etc. L19.
e. A short solo or instrumental passage in jazz or popular music. E20.
The first appearance of light, onset. Chiefly in break of day, dawn. L16.
A tract of ground of distinct appearance, esp. an area broken up for cultivation, or (US) an area of rough broken country. L17.
A surplus piece of metal remaining on the shank of a newly cast type. L17.
A quantity or amount; a large number. Chiefly dial. L18.
An act of breaking out or away; a sudden dash; an escape from prison etc. M19.
T. Roosevelt The slightest attempt at a break would result in their being shot down.
b. A bud or shoot sprouting from a stem. M20.
Cricket etc. The deviation of a ball on pitching. M19.
leg break: see LEG noun. off break: see OFF-.
Billiards & Snooker etc. (The points scored in) a consecutive series of successful shots. M19.
a. A mistake, a blunder. colloq. L19.
P. G. Wodehouse Fear he was going to make a break of some kind.
b. An opportunity, a (fair) chance; a piece of (good) luck. colloq. E20.
bad break (a) an unfortunate remark or ill-judged action; (b) a piece of bad luck. even break a fair chance.
G. Greene We had a lucky break. B. Schulberg Learn to give the other fellow a break and we'll all live longer.