adj.
Pronunciation: ' br ō -k ə n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English brocen, from past participle of brecan to break
Date: 13th century
1 : violently separated into parts : SHATTERED
2 : damaged or altered by breaking: as a : having undergone or been subjected to fracture <a broken leg> b of land surfaces : being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles c : violated by transgression <a broken promise> d : DISCONTINUOUS , INTERRUPTED e : disrupted by change f of a tulip flower : having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern especially from virus infection
3 a : made weak or infirm b : subdued completely : CRUSHED , SORROWFUL <a broken heart> <a broken spirit> c : BANKRUPT d : reduced in rank
4 a : cut off : DISCONNECTED b : imperfectly spoken or written < broken English>
5 : not complete or full <a broken bale of hay>
6 : disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent <children from broken homes> <a broken family>
– bro · ken · ly adverb
– bro · ken · ness \ -k ə (n)-n ə s \ noun