breakoff

or break-off

[ breyk-awf, ‐of ]
/ ˈbreɪkˌɔf, ‐ˌɒf /

noun

a discontinuation, especially abrupt, as of relations.
the action of breaking off.

Origin of breakoff

First recorded in 1860–65; noun use of verb break off (in the sense “to stop sudddenly”)

Definition for break off (2 of 2)

Origin of break

before 900; Middle English breken, Old English brecan; cognate with Dutch breken, German brechen, Gothic brikan; akin to Latin frangere; see fragile

synonym study for break

1. Break, crush, shatter, smash mean to reduce to parts, violently or by force. Break means to divide by means of a blow, a collision, a pull, or the like: to break a chair, a leg, a strap. To crush is to subject to (usually heavy or violent) pressure so as to press out of shape or reduce to shapelessness or to small particles: to crush a beetle. To shatter is to break in such a way as to cause the pieces to fly in many directions: to shatter a light globe. To smash is to break noisily and suddenly into many pieces: to smash a glass.

OTHER WORDS FROM break

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH break

brake break

British Dictionary definitions for break off (1 of 2)

break off

verb

to sever or detach or be severed or detached it broke off in my hands; he broke a piece off the bar of chocolate
(adverb) to end (a relationship, association, etc) or (of a relationship, etc) to be ended
(intr, adverb) to stop abruptly; halt he broke off in the middle of his speech

noun breakoff

the act or an instance of breaking off or stopping

British Dictionary definitions for break off (2 of 2)

break
/ (breɪk) /

verb breaks, breaking, broke or broken

noun

interjection

boxing wrestling a command by a referee for two opponents to separate

Word Origin for break

Old English brecan; related to Old Frisian breka, Gothic brikan, Old High German brehhan, Latin frangere Sanskrit bhráj bursting forth

Idioms and Phrases with break off (1 of 2)

break off

1

Stop abruptly, as in The trade talks broke off yesterday. [First half of 1300s]

2

Separate, sever a connection, as in The baby broke off the tops of all the flowers, or The new sect has broken off from the established church. [First half of 1500s]

3

End a relationship or friendship, as in Mary broke off her engagement to Rob. [Mid-1600s]

Idioms and Phrases with break off (2 of 2)

break