- break (v.) - Old English brecan "to break, shatter, burst;
injure, violate, destroy, curtail; break into, rush into; burst
forth, spring out; subdue, tame" (class IV strong verb; past
tense bræc, past participle brocen), from Proto-Germanic *brekan
(cf. Old Frisian breka, Dutch breken, Old High German brehhan,
German brechen, Gothic brikan), from PIE root *bhreg- "to break"
(see fraction). Most modern senses were in Old English. In
reference to the heart from early 13c. Meaning "to disclose" is
from early 13c. Break bread "share food" (with) is from late
14c. Break the ice is c.1600, in reference to the "coldness" of
encounters of strangers. Break wind first attested 1550s. To
break (something) out (1890s) probably is an image from dock
work, of freeing cargo before unloading it. Ironic theatrical
good luck formula break a leg has parallels in German Hals- und
Beinbruch "break your neck and leg," and Italian in bocca al
lupo. Evidence of a highly superstitious craft (cf. Macbeth). -
break (n.) - c.1300, "ac