Breach

n. [A-S. brice, bryce, gebrice, Icel. brek, fault, Dan. brāk, Ger. bruch, Fr. brèche, break, breach, gap, Ger. brecke, gap, breach. See BREAK.]

1Sense 1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken; fracture.

2Sense 2. The gap or opening made by breaking; the space between the parts of a solid body parted 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.

3Sense 3. A breaking or infraction, as of a law, or any obligation or tie; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a breach of contract; a breach of promise.

4Sense 4. A breaking up of amicable relations.

There's fallen between him and my lord An unkind breach. Shak.

Synonyms—Rent; cleft; chasm, rift; disruption; fracture; aperture; gap; break; infraction; infringement; violation; quarrel; dispute; contention; difference; separation; misunderstanding.

(Mil.) To make a breach or opening in the walls of, by means of artillery.