— housebreaking , n.
/hows"bray'keuhr/ , n.
1. a person who breaks into and enters a house with a felonious intent.
2. Brit.
a. a worker or wrecking company that demolishes houses and buildings, as to make room for new construction.
b. a person who buys doors, paneled walls, etc., from standing houses, to sell as antiques; a person who dismantles a house of its valuable parts before it is torn down.
[ 1275-1325; ME. See HOUSE, BREAKER 1 ]