[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/break/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [B](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/b/) / break # break verb (break, breaks, broke, broken, breaking); noun (a break, breaks) «break» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To break is to make something come apart into pieces, so it can no longer be used. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#m1) 2. To break is to stop working: «The TV broke». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#m2) 3. To break a rule or a promise is to not keep it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#m3) 4. A break is a short rest from work or school: «morning break». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#m4) 5. To break a record is to do better than anyone before. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#m5) 6. To break out is to start suddenly, as fire, fighting or trouble does. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#m6) ### In the lessons to spoil things, so they no longer count; a break is a rest time at school; to break a number apart is to split it into parts (14 = 10 + 4); phrases: «break into pieces», «break down», «break a promise», «take a break», «break apart» ### Examples - Anna breaks 5 cookies. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x1) - 16 pencils broke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x2) - Of 24 glasses, 3 are broken. How many are not broken? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x3) - We play football at morning break. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x4) - Ben broke his arm when he fell off his bike. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x5) - Never break a promise to a friend. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x6) - Break 15 into 10 and 5 to add it more easily. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x7) - She broke the school record for the long jump. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x8) - The flames were breaking out from below. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/#x9) ### Note Past: broke; past participle: broken. «breaks N» takes N away from the good things. Trap: breaking one thing into pieces can make more pieces, not fewer. Safety: tell an adult about broken glass; do not pick it up. ## In Jewish tradition In the Torah to break is to smash, snap or tear apart, as well as to break a covenant or a commandment. "Break forth" means to burst out in anger. In the later books it also means to wreck ships, to burst bonds of rule, or to shatter strength. **Interpretation.** Moses breaking the tablets shows how serious breaking the covenant is. Tradition says the broken tablets were kept in the Ark with the whole ones. In Psalms the nations say "let us break their bands asunder," which tradition reads as rebelling against God and His anointed. ### Examples - Thou shalt break it in pieces, and pour oil thereon; it is a meal-offering. (Torah LEV.2.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/break/#x1) - And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. (Torah GEN.32.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/break/#x2) - And let the priests also, that come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.' (Torah EXO.19.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/break/#x3) - Can iron break iron from the north and brass? (Prophets JER.15.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/break/#x4) - With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish. (Writings PSA.48.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/break/#x5) - 'Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.' (Writings PSA.2.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/break/#x6) ### Note Past: broke; past participle: broken. «breaks N» takes N away from the good things. Trap: breaking one thing into pieces can make more pieces, not fewer. Safety: tell an adult about broken glass; do not pick it up. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «break» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/break/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«break» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/break.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «break» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/B/break/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«break» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/break.html) on Mova free.