Breach
Breach (brēch) , noun
[Old English breke, breche, Anglo-Saxon brice, gebrice, gebrece (in comp.), from brecan to break; akin to Danish brak, Middle High German breche, gap, breach. See Break, and compare Brake (the instrument), Brack a break]
1.
The act of breaking, in a figurative sense.
2.
Specifically: A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any obligation or tie; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a breach of contract; a breach of promise.
3.
A gap or opening made made by breaking or battering, as in a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
4.
A breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters themselves; surge; surf.
The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters.
Collocations (7)
A clear breach , implies that the waves roll over the vessel without breaking.
A clean breach , implies that everything on deck is swept away. — Ham. Nav. Encyc
Breach of falth , a breaking, or a failure to keep, an expressed or implied promise; a betrayal of confidence or trust.
Breach of peace , disorderly conduct, disturbing the public peace.
Breach of privilege , an act or default in violation of the privilege or either house of Parliament, of Congress, or of a State legislature, as, for instance, by false swearing before a committee. — Mozley. Abbott
Breach of promise , violation of one's plighted word, esp. of a promise to marry.
Breach of trust , violation of one's duty or faith in a matter entrusted to one.
5.
A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture.
There's fallen between him and my lord
An unkind breach.
6.
A bruise; a wound.
Breach for breach, eye for eye.
7.
(Medicine) A hernia; a rupture.
8.
A breaking out upon; an assault.
The Lord had made a breach upon Uzza.
Breach ({not transcribed}) , transitive verb
To make a breach or opening in; as, to breach the walls of a city.
Breach , intransitive verb
To break the water, as by leaping out; -- said of a whale.