BREAK DOWN


Meaning of BREAK DOWN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ verb ]

Date: 14th century

transitive verb

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.