■ verb ( ~s , ~ting , ~ )
1》 break or cause to break forcibly into parts.
↘cause the fission of (an atom).
2》 divide or cause to divide into parts or groups.
↘(often ~ up ) end a marriage or other relationship.
3》 informal (of one's head) suffer great pain from a headache.
4》 (usu. ~ on ) Brit. informal betray the secrets of or inform on someone.
5》 informal leave, especially suddenly.
■ noun
1》 a tear, crack, or fissure.
2》 an instance of ~ting or being ~.
3》 ( the ~s ( US also a ~) ) an act of leaping in the air or sitting down with the legs straight and at right angles to the body, one in front and the other behind, or one at each side.
4》 a ~ osier used in basketwork.
5》 a single thickness of ~ hide.
6》 N. Amer. a drawn match or series.
7》 each strip of steel or cane that makes up the reed in a loom.
8》 half a bottle or glass of champagne or other drink.
9》 the time taken to complete a recognized part of a race, or the point in the race where such a time is measured.
Phrases
~ the difference take the average of two proposed amounts.
~ one's sides ( N. Amer. also ~ a gut ) informal be convulsed with laughter.
~ the ticket (or one's vote ) US vote for candidates of more than one party.
~ the vote (of a candidate or minority party) attract votes from another candidate or party with the result that both are defeated by a third.
Derivatives
~ter noun
Origin
C16 (orig. in the sense '(of a storm or rock) break up a ship'): from MDu. ~ten , of unknown ultimate origin.