Break - Breathing

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Break (brāk), n. [See , v. t., and cf. (the instrument), , a crack.] 1. An opening made by fracture or disruption.
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2. An interruption of continuity; change of direction; as, a break in a wall; a break in the deck of a ship. Specifically: (a) (Arch.) A projection or recess from the face of a building. (b) (Elec.) An opening or displacement in the circuit, interrupting the electrical current.
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3. An interruption; a pause; as, a break in friendship; a break in the conversation.
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4. An interruption in continuity in writing or printing, as where there is an omission, an unfilled line, etc.
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All modern trash is
Set forth with numerous breaks and dashes. Swift.
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5. The first appearing, as of light in the morning; the dawn; as, the break of day; the break of dawn.
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6. A large four-wheeled carriage, having a straight body and calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the footman's behind.
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7. A device for checking motion, or for measuring friction. See , n. 9 & 10.
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8. (Teleg.) See .
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breakability n. the quality of being easily damaged or destroyed.
Syn. -- fragility.
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Breakable (�), a. Capable of being broken.
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Breakage (�), n. 1. The act of breaking; a break; a breaking; also, articles broken.
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2. An allowance or compensation for things broken accidentally, as in transportation or use.
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Breakaway (?), n. [Break + away] [Australasia] 1. A wild rush of sheep, cattle, horses, or camels (especially at the smell or the sight of water); a stampede.
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2. An animal that breaks away from a herd.
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3. an object designed to break off or shatter under impact, as a safety measure.
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4. (Sport) the sudden emergence of one or more players or contestants from a clustered group, rushing toward a goal, as bicyclists in a race, or baketball players after a rebound has been caught.
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breakaxe n. a West Indian timber tree (Sloanea jamaicensis) having very hard wood.
Syn. -- breakax.
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Breakbone fever (�). (Med.) See .
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Break-circuit (�), n. (Elec.) A key or other device for breaking an electrical circuit.
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break dancing n. a type of solo dancing in which the dancer performs elaborate footwork, pantomime, and various acrobatic movements, such as spinning head stands or spinning on the back, and usually containing much improvization. It was first performed by male teenagers in the 1970's, in small informal groups on the streets, and is often performed to the accompaniment of rap music or other rock music with a rapid, strong beat. -- break dance, n. -- break dancer, n.
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Breakdown (�), n. 1. The act or result of breaking down, as of a carriage; downfall.
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2. (a) A noisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in competitively by a number of persons or pairs in succession, as among the colored people of the Southern United States, and so called, perhaps, because the exercise is continued until most of those who take part in it break down. (b) Any rude, noisy dance performed by shuffling the feet, usually by one person at a time. [U.S.]
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Don't clear out when the quadrilles are over, for we are going to have a breakdown to wind up with. New Eng. Tales.
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Breaker (�), n. 1. One who, or that which, breaks.
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I'll be no breaker of the law. Shak.
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2. Specifically: A machine for breaking rocks, or for breaking coal at the mines; also, the building in which such a machine is placed.
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3. (Naut.) A small water cask. Totten.
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4. A wave breaking into foam against the shore, or against a sand bank, or a rock or reef near the surface.
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The breakers were right beneath her bows. Longfellow.
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5. a quarry worker who splits off blocks of stone.
Syn. -- ledgeman.
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Breakfast (�), n. [Break + fast.] 1. The first meal in the day, or that which is eaten at the first meal.
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A sorry breakfast for my lord protector. Shak.
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2. A meal after fasting, or food in general.
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The wolves will get a breakfast by my death. Dryden.
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Breakfast, v. i. [imp. & p. p. breakfasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Breakfasting.] To break one's fast in the morning; too eat the first meal in the day.
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First, sir, I read, and then I breakfast. Prior.
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Breakfast, v. t. To furnish with breakfast. Milton.
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break-in n. an act of trespassing into a closed structure such as a house or place of busineess for an unlawful purpose, usually as part of a burglary.
Syn. -- housebreaking, breaking and entering.
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breaking adj. 1. p. pr. & vb. n. of , v. i.
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2. (Journalism) Still happening or becoming known at the present time; -- used of news reports; as, breaking news; a breaking story.
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breaking n. The act of breaking something.
Syn. -- breakage, break.
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Breakman (�), n. See .
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Breakneck (�), n. 1. A fall that breaks the neck.
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2. A steep place endangering the neck.
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Breakneck (�), a. Producing danger of a broken neck; as, breakneck speed.
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breakstone n. 1. Any of various plants of the genus Saxifraga.
Syn. -- saxifrage, rockfoil.
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breakthrough n. 1. a productive insight.
Syn. -- discovery, find.
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2. a sudden change of situation, such as making an important discovery, that permits further rapid advances toward a goal.
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3. (Mil.) a penetration of an enemy's defense in depth and strength.
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Breakup, Break-up (�), n. Disruption; coming apart; a separation and dispersion of the parts or members; as, a break-up of a meeting, assembly, or dinner party; the break-up of a spacecraft on re-entry into the atmosphere.
Syn. -- separation, detachment.
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2. the termination of a relationship; a break-up of the government; the break-up of a marriage; the break-up of a business partnership; the break-up of a comedy team.
Syn. -- dissolution.
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Breakwater (�), n. Any structure or contrivance, as a mole, or a wall at the mouth of a harbor, to break the force of waves, and afford protection from their violence.
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Bream (�), n. [OE. breme, brem, F. brême, OF. bresme, of German origin; cf. OHG. brahsema, brahsina, OLG. bressemo, G. brassen. Cf. .]
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1. (Zoöl) A European fresh-water cyprinoid fish of the genus Abramis, little valued as food. Several species are known.
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2. (Zoöl) An American fresh-water fish, of various species of Pomotis and allied genera, which are also called sunfishes and pondfishes. See .
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3. (Zoöl) A marine sparoid fish of the genus Pagellus, and allied genera. See .
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Bream, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Breamed (�); p. pr. & vb. n. Breaming.] [Cf. , and G. ein schiff brennen.] (Naut.) To clean, as a ship's bottom of adherent shells, seaweed, etc., by the application of fire and scraping.
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Breast (brĕst), n. [OE. brest, breost, As. breóst; akin to Icel. brjōst, Sw. bröst, Dan. bryst, Goth. brusts, OS. briost, D. borst, G. brust.] 1. The fore part of the body, between the neck and the belly; the chest; as, the breast of a man or of a horse.
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2. Either one of the protuberant glands, situated on the front of the chest or thorax in the female of man and of some other mammalia, in which milk is secreted for the nourishment of the young; a mamma; a teat.
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My brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother. Cant. viii. 1.
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3. Anything resembling the human breast, or bosom; the front or forward part of anything; as, a chimney breast; a plow breast; the breast of a hill.
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Mountains on whose barren breast
The laboring clouds do often rest. Milton.
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4. (Mining) (a) The face of a coal working. (b) The front of a furnace.
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5. The seat of consciousness; the repository of thought and self-consciousness, or of secrets; the seat of the affections and passions; the heart.
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He has a loyal breast. Shak.
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6. The power of singing; a musical voice; -- so called, probably, from the connection of the voice with the lungs, which lie within the breast. [Obs.]
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By my troth, the fool has an excellent breast. Shak.
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Coloq. Breast drill , a portable drilling machine, provided with a breastplate, for forcing the drill against the work. -- Coloq. Breast pang . See Angina pectoris, under . -- Coloq. To make a clean breast , to disclose the secrets which weigh upon one; to make full confession.
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Breast, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Breasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Breasting.] To meet, with the breast; to struggle with or oppose manfully; as, to breast the storm or waves.
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The court breasted the popular current by sustaining the demurrer. Wirt.
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Coloq. To breast up a hedge , to cut the face of it on one side so as to lay bare the principal upright stems of the plants.
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Breastband (-bănd), n. A band for the breast. Specifically: (Naut.) A band of canvas, or a rope, fastened at both ends to the rigging, to support the man who heaves the lead in sounding.
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Breastbeam (brĕstbēm), n. (Mach.) The front transverse beam of a locomotive.
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Breastbone (brĕstbōn), n. The bone of the breast; the sternum.
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Breast-deep (brĕstdēp), a. Deep as from the breast to the feet; as high as the breast.
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Set him breast-deep in earth, and famish him. Shak.
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Breasted, a. Having a breast; -- used in composition with qualifying words, in either a literal or a metaphorical sense; as, a single-breasted coat.
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The close minister is buttoned up, and the brave officer open-breasted, on these occasions. Spectator.
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Breastfast (�), n. (Naut.) A large rope to fasten the midship part of a ship to a wharf, or to another vessel.
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Breastheight (�), n. The interior slope of a fortification, against which the garrison lean in firing.
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Breast-high (�), a. High as the breast.
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Breasthook (�), n. (Naut.) A thick piece of timber in the form of a knee, placed across the stem of a ship to strengthen the fore part and unite the bows on each side. Totten.
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Breasting, n. (Mach.) The curved channel in which a breast wheel turns. It is closely adapted to the curve of the wheel through about a quarter of its circumference, and prevents the escape of the water until it has spent its force upon the wheel. See .
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Breastknot (brĕstnŏt), n. A knot of ribbons worn on the breast. Addison.
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Breastpin (brĕstpĭn), n. A pin worn on the breast for a fastening, or for ornament; a brooch.
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Breastplate (�), n. 1. A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor.
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Before his old rusty breastplate could be scoured, and his cracked headpiece mended. Swift.
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2. A piece against which the workman presses his breast in operating a breast drill, or other similar tool.
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3. A strap that runs across a horse's breast. Ash.
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4. (Jewish Antiq.) A part of the vestment of the high priest, worn upon the front of the ephod. It was a double piece of richly embroidered stuff, a span square, set with twelve precious stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. See .
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{ Breastplow, Breastplough } (�), n. A kind of plow, driven by the breast of the workman; -- used to cut or pare turf.
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Breastrail (-rāl), n. The upper rail of any parapet of ordinary height, as of a balcony; the railing of a quarter-deck, etc.
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Breastrope (brĕstrōp), n. See .
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Breastsummer (�), n. (Arch.) A summer or girder extending across a building flush with, and supporting, the upper part of a front or external wall; a long lintel; a girder; -- used principally above shop windows. [Written also brestsummer and bressummer.]
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Breastwheel (brĕst hwēl), n. A water wheel, on which the stream of water strikes neither so high as in the overshot wheel, nor so low as in the undershot, but generally at about half the height of the wheel, being kept in contact with it by the breasting. The water acts on the float boards partly by impulse, partly by its weight.
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Breastwork (brĕstwûrk), n. 1. (Fort.) A defensive work of moderate height, hastily thrown up, of earth or other material.
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2. (Naut.) A railing on the quarter-deck and forecastle.
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Breath (brĕth), n. [OE. breth, breeth, AS. brǣð odor, scent, breath; cf. OHG. brādam steam, vapor, breath, G. brodem, and possibly E. , and .] 1. The air inhaled and exhaled in respiration; air which, in the process of respiration, has parted with oxygen and has received carbonic acid, aqueous vapor, warmth, etc.
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Melted as breath into the wind. Shak.
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2. The act of breathing naturally or freely; the power or capacity to breathe freely; as, I am out of breath.
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3. The power of respiration, and hence, life. Hood.
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Thou takest away their breath, they die. Ps. civ. 29.
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4. Time to breathe; respite; pause.
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Give me some breath, some little pause. Shak.
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5. A single respiration, or the time of making it; a single act; an instant.
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He smiles and he frowns in a breath. Dryden.
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6. Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life.
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The earthquake voice of victory,
To thee the breath of life. Byron.
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7. A single word; the slightest effort; a trifle.
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A breath can make them, as a breath has made. Goldsmith.
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8. A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion.
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Calm and unruffled as a summer's sea,
when not a breath of wind flies o'er its surface. Addison.
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9. Fragrance; exhalation; odor; perfume. Tennison.
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The breath of flowers. Bacon.
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10. Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration.
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An after dinner's breath. Shak.
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Coloq. Out of breath , breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty. -- Coloq. Under one's breath , in low tones.
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Breathable (brē�ȧb'l), a. Such as can be breathed.
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Breathableness, n. State of being breathable.
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breathalyze v. to test the alcohol content of someone's blood by means of a breathalyzer.
Syn. -- breathalyse.
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breathalyzer n. [a Trademark.]a device that measures alcohol content of a person's breath.
Syn. -- breathalyser, breath analyzer.
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Breathe (brē�), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Breathed (brē�d); p. pr. & vb. n. Breathing.] [From .]
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1. To respire; to inhale and exhale air; hence;, to live. “I am in health, I breathe.” Shak.
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Breathes there a man with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land! Sir W. Scott [The Lay of the Last Minstrel].
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2. To take breath; to rest from action.
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Well! breathe awhile, and then to it again! Shak.
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3. To pass like breath; noiselessly or gently; to exhale; to emanate; to blow gently.
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The air breathes upon us here most sweetly. Shak.
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There breathes a living fragrance from the shore. Byron.
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Breathe, v. t. 1. To inhale and exhale in the process of respiration; to respire.
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To view the light of heaven, and breathe the vital air. Dryden.
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2. To inject by breathing; to infuse; -- with into.
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Able to breathe life into a stone. Shak.
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And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Gen. ii. 7.
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3. To emit or utter by the breath; to utter softly; to whisper; as, to breathe a vow.
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He softly breathed thy name. Dryden.
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Or let the church, our mother, breathe her curse,
A mother's curse, on her revolting son. Shak.
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4. To exhale; to emit, as breath; as, the flowers breathe odors or perfumes.
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5. To express; to manifest; to give forth.
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Others articles breathe the same severe spirit. Milner.
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6. To act upon by the breath; to cause to sound by breathing. “They breathe the flute.” Prior.
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7. To promote free respiration in; to exercise.
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And every man should beat thee. I think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee. Shak.
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8. To suffer to take breath, or recover the natural breathing; to rest; as, to breathe a horse.
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A moment breathed his panting steed. Sir W. Scott.
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9. To put out of breath; to exhaust.
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Mr. Tulkinghorn arrives in his turret room, a little breathed by the journey up. Dickens.
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10. (Phonetics) To utter without vocality, as the nonvocal consonants.
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The same sound may be pronounces either breathed, voiced, or whispered. H. Sweet.
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Breathed elements, being already voiceless, remain unchanged [in whispering]. H. Sweet.
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Coloq. To breathe again , to take breath; to feel a sense of relief, as from danger, responsibility, or press of business. -- Coloq. To breathe one's last , to die; to expire. -- Coloq. To breathe a vein , to open a vein; to let blood. Dryden.
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breathed (brĕtht), adj. having breath or breath as specified; usually used in combination; as, sweet-breathed.
[WordNet 1.5]

breathed (brē�d), adj. uttered without voice.
Syn. -- voiceless.
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Breather (�), n. 1. One who breathes. Hence: (a) One who lives. (b) One who utters. (c) One who animates or inspires.
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2. That which puts one out of breath, as violent exercise. [Colloq.]
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3. a pause to catch one's breath, or for some other form of rest or refreshment; -- often used in the phrase Coloq. to take a breather , i.e. to pause for refreshment. [Colloq.]
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4. a vent in a container to allow equalization of internal and external pressure.
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5. an air intake pipe to provide air to machinery or people submerged or otherwise sealed off from the outside.
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Breathful (�), a. Full of breath; full of odor; fragrant. [Obs.]
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Breathing (�), n. 1. Respiration; the act of inhaling and exhaling air.
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Subject to a difficulty of breathing. Melmoth.
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2. Air in gentle motion.
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3. Any gentle influence or operation; inspiration; as, the breathings of the Spirit.
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4. Aspiration; secret prayer. “Earnest desires and breathings after that blessed state.” Tillotson.
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5. Exercising; promotion of respiration.
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Here is a lady that wants breathing too;
And I have heard, you knights of Tyre
Are excellent in making ladies trip. Shak.
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6. Utterance; communication or publicity by words.
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I am sorry to give breathing to my purpose. Shak.
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7. Breathing place; vent. Dryden.
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8. Stop; pause; delay.
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You shake the head at so long a breathing. Shak.
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9. Also, in a wider sense, the sound caused by the friction of the outgoing breath in the throat, mouth, etc., when the glottis is wide open; aspiration; the sound expressed by the letter h.
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