[break down] vt (14c) 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 esp. for storage or shipment and for later reassembling ~ vi 1 a: to stop functioning because of breakage or wear b: to become inoperative or ineffective: fail "negotiations broke down"
2. of horses: to tear or strain the tendons of the lower leg 3 a: to be susceptible to or undergo analysis or subdivision "the statistics break down like this" b: to undergo decomposition syn see analyze