Brazier, brā′zi-ėr, n. one who works in Brass (q.v.).
Brazil, bra-zil′, n. usually Brazil′-wood, the hard reddish wood of an East Indian tree, known as sappan, used in dyeing.—n. Brazil′ian, a native of Brazil, in South America.—adj. belonging to Brazil.—n. Brazil′-nut, the edible seed of a large tree, native of Brazil. [O. Fr. bresil (Sp. brasil, It. brasile)—Low L. brasilium, a red dye-wood, brought from the East, itself prob. a corr. of some Oriental word. When a similar wood was discovered in South America the country became known as terra de brasil, land of red dye-wood, whence Brasil, Brazil.]
Breach, brēch, n. a break or opening, as in the walls of a fortress: a breaking of law, &c., violation of contract, covenant, promise, &c.: a quarrel: a broken condition or part of anything, a break: a gap in a fortification—hence 'to stand in the breach,' often used figuratively: a break in a coast-line, bay, harbour, creek (Judges, v. 17).—v.t. to make a breach or opening in a wall, &c.—Breach of promise, often used simply for breach of promise of marriage; Breach of the peace, a violation of the public peace by riot or the like. [A.S. bryce, brice; related to Break.]
Bread, bred, n. food made of flour or meal baked: food: livelihood.—ns. Bread′-bas′ket, a basket for holding bread: (slang) the stomach; Bread′-chip′per (Shak.), one who chips bread, an under-butler; Bread′-corn, corn of which bread is made.—n.pl. Bread′-crumbs, bread crumbled down for dressing dishes of fried fish, &c.—n. Bread′fruit-tree, a tree of the South Sea Islands, producing a fruit which, when roasted, forms a good substitute for bread; Bread′-nut, the fruit of a tree, a native of Jamaica, closely allied to the breadfruit-tree, which is used as bread when boiled or roasted; Bread′-room, an apartment in a ship's hold where the bread is kept; Bread′-root, a herbaceous perennial plant of North America, with a carrot-like root which is used as food; Bread′-stud′y, any branch of study taken up as a means of gaining a living; Bread′-stuff, the various kinds of grain or flour of which bread is made; Bread′-tree, a tree of South Africa which has a great deal of starch in its stem, and is used as bread by the natives; Bread′-win′ner, one who earns a living for a family.—Bread buttered on both sides, very fortunate circumstances.—To take the bread out of one's mouth, to deprive of the means of living. [A.S. bréad, prob. from a Teut. root meaning a fragment, like the Scot. and Norse country use of 'a piece,' for a bit of bread. The usual A.S. word was hláf.]
Breaded, bred′ed, pa.p. (Spens.) = Braided.
Breadth, bredth, n. extent from side to side: width: a style in painting in which details are strictly subordinated to the harmony of the whole composition.—adv. Breadth′ways, broadside on. [A.S. brǽdu; Ger. briete. See Broad.]
Break, brāk, v.t. to part by force: to shatter: to crush: to tame, or wear out: to violate, or outrage, as a law, a bargain, &c.: to check by intercepting, as a fall: to interrupt, as silence, or the monotony of anything, or in 'to break one off a habit:' to make bankrupt: to degrade from rank, as an officer.—v.i. to part in two: to burst forth: to open or appear, as the morning: to become bankrupt: to crack or give way, as the voice: to dissolve, as frost: to collapse in foam, as a wave: to fall out, as with a friend:—pa.t. brōke; pa.p. brōk′en.—n. the state of being broken: an opening: a pause or interruption: (billiards) a consecutive series of successful strokes, also the number of points attained by such: the dawn.—ns. Break′age, the action of breaking, or its consequences: an interruption; Break′-down, a dance, vigorous rather than graceful, in which much noise is made by the feet of the one performer; Break′er, a wave broken on rocks or the shore.—adj. Break′-neck, likely to cause a broken neck.—ns. Break′-prom′ise, Break′-vow, one who makes a practice of breaking his promise or vow; Break′water, a barrier to break the force of the waves.—Break a jest, to utter a jest unexpectedly; Break a lance with, to enter into a contest with a rival; Break away, to go away abruptly, as from prison, &c.: to be scattered, as clouds after a storm; Break bulk, to open the hold and take out a portion of the cargo; Break cover, to burst forth from concealment, as a fox; Break down, to crush down or level: to collapse, to fail completely; Break forth, to burst out, issue; Break ground, to commence digging or excavation: to begin; Break in, to train to labour, as a horse; Break in, in upon, or into, to enter violently or unexpectedly, to interpose abruptly in a conversation, &c.; Break loose, to extricate one's self forcibly: to break through all restraint; Break news, to make anything known, esp. of bad news, with caution and delicacy; Break off, to separate by breaking, put an end to; Break out, to appear suddenly: to break through all restraint; Break sheer (said of a ship riding at anchor), to be forced by wind or tide out of a position clear of the anchor; Break the heart, to destroy with grief; Break the ice (fig.), to get through first difficulties: Break up, to break open; Break upon the wheel, to punish by stretching a criminal on a wheel and breaking his bones; Break wind, to void wind from the stomach; Break with, to fail out, as friends may do. [A.S. brecan; Ger. brechen.]
Break, Brake, brāk, n. a large wagonette: a carriage frame, all wheels and no body, used in breaking in horses. [Break, v.t.]
Breaker, brāk′ėr, n. a small water-cask, used on shipboard. [Prob. a corr. of Sp. bareca, a barrel.]
Breakfast, brek′fast, n. a break or breaking of a fast: the first meal of the day.—v.i. to take breakfast.—v.t. to furnish with breakfast.—ns. Break′fasting, the act of taking breakfast: a party at breakfast; Break′fast-set, the china or other ware used at breakfast.