Breach \Breach\, n. [OE. breke, breche, AS. brice, gebrice,
gebrece (in comp.), fr. brecan to break; akin to Dan.
br[ae]k, MHG. breche, gap, breach. See Break, and cf.
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. --Shak.
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. --2 Sam. v.
20?
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.
5. A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture.
There's fallen between him and my lord An unkind
breach. --Shak.
6. A bruise; a wound.
Breach for breach, eye for eye. --Lev. xxiv.
20?
7. (Med.) A hernia; a rupture.
8. A breaking out upon; an assault.
1. Chron.
xiii. 11?
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.
Syn: Rent; cleft; chasm; rift; aperture; gap; break;
disruption; fracture; rupture; infraction; infringement;
violation; quarrel; dispute; contention; difference;
misunderstanding.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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