I. ˈbrōk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English broc break in the skin, from Old English broc trouble, fragment, from brecan to break — more at break
1. archaic : something broken off : a fragment (as of kitchen leavings)
2. obsolete : a break (as in the skin) : wound
3. : paper that becomes unfit for use during any part of its manufacture
wet broke is from the presses of the paper machine; dry broke may come from calenders, winders, sorting tables
4. brokes plural : skirtings
5. : a grade of tobacco having damaged leaves
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of broken
1. chiefly dialect : broken
2. : without money or resources : penniless , bankrupt
3.
a. of an animal : tamed and trained to a particular function or activity
a halter- broke horse
b. of a person : forced to conform or adapt
the old woman's broke to my ways now
III.
past and nonstandard past part of break
IV. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably back-formation from broker
obsolete : negotiate , traffic , deal