breach (briːtʃ
)
Definitions
noun
- a crack, break, or rupture
- a breaking, infringement, or violation of a promise, obligation, etc
- any severance or separation ⇒
there was a breach between the two factions of the party
- a gap in an enemy's fortifications or line of defence created by bombardment or attack
- the act of a whale in breaking clear of the water
- the breaking of sea waves on a shore or rock
- an obsolete word for wound1
verb
- (tr) to break through or make an opening, hole, or incursion in
- (tr) to break a promise, law, etc
- (intr) (of a whale) to break clear of the water
Word Origin
Old English bræc ; influenced by Old French brèche , from Old High German brecha , from brechan to breakSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
break,
violate,
go against,
flout,
infringe,
contravene,
disobey,
fly in the face of,
transgress,
fail to comply with
=
nonobservance,
abuse,
violation,
infringement,
trespass,
disobedience,
transgression,
contravention,
infraction,
noncompliance,
=
disagreement,
difference,
division,
separation,
falling-out,
quarrel,
alienation,
variance,
severance,
disaffection,
schism,
parting of the ways
estrangement,
dissension,
Quotations
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more"
Usage examples
You have obviously not been involved in any criminal way, except in this breach of the peace.
, The Gwen John Sculpture (1985)Earlier in the day, Mr Sharon had brushed aside a request by an EU delegation to breach Mr Arafat's isolation.
Irish Times (2002)But the officers had chosen to arrest him for a breach of the peace.
Glasgow Herald (2001)They were only yards away but even that distance was too far to breach.
, THE TURN OF THE TIDE (2004)