Function: transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1 a : to cause to fall or collapse by breaking or shattering b : to make ineffective < break down legal barriers>
2 a : to divide into parts or categories b : to separate (as a chemical compound) into simpler substances : DECOMPOSE c : to take apart especially for storage or shipment and for later reassembling
intransitive verb
1 a : to stop functioning because of breakage or wear b : to become inoperative or ineffective : FAIL <negotiations broke down > c : to fail in strength or vitality <her health broke down > d : to succumb to mental or emotional stress < broke down and cried> e : to lose one's resolve : GIVE IN <finally broke down and bought a computer>
2 of horses : to severely injure the supporting ligament or bones of the fetlock joint
3 a : to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision <the statistics break down like this> b : to undergo decomposition
synonyms see ANALYZE