Breaker Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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breaker
[ˈbreɪkər ]
Definitions
circuit
A device that interrupts an electric circuit to prevent excessive current or short circuits.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The circuit breaker tripped when there was a power surge.
- Make sure to reset the breaker after it trips.
person
A person or thing that breaks something, such as a code, record, or barrier.
Synonyms
barrier-breaker, challenger, record-breaker.
Examples of usage
- He was a record breaker in the world of sports.
- The code breaker cracked the security system.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Technology
- In electrical engineering, a circuit breaker prevents overloads by automatically shutting off electricity to a circuit.
- The term 'code breaker' refers to individuals or machines that decode encrypted messages, key during wartime communications.
- Software breaker refers to tools that exploit security flaws in programs, often used for testing but can lead to unauthorized access.
Sports
- In surfing, a 'breaker' describes the wave that forms and breaks as it approaches the shore, creating ideal conditions for surfing.
- The term 'game breaker' in sports refers to a player whose exceptional skill can change the course of a game decisively.
- In football, a 'skate breaker' is a player known for their speed and agility, capable of breaking through defensive lines.
Pop Culture
- The phrase 'ice breaker' is widely used in social contexts to describe activities that help people get to know each other.
- Breakers are often depicted in movies or literature as protagonists who defy limitations or break societal norms.
- In the world of music, 'breakers' can refer to tracks or songs that suddenly become very popular, breaking into top charts.
Nature
- In geology, 'breaker' can refer to a type of wave formation that can erode coastal landscapes over time.
- Tsunami waves are often referred to as breakwaters due to their immense power when they finally crash onto land.
- Some fish species, like the grouper, are known as 'breakers' because they can break coral when hunting for prey.
Origin of 'breaker'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'breaker' comes from the Old English 'bræcan,' which means to break or shatter.
- First recorded around the 14th century, it has evolved in meaning to include various forms of breaking.
- In different contexts, 'breaker' can refer to a device that interrupts electric current or a wave that crashes.
The word 'breaker' originated in the 16th century, deriving from the Middle English word 'breker'. It has roots in the Old English word 'brecan', meaning 'to break'. Over the centuries, 'breaker' has evolved to encompass various meanings related to interrupting, breaking, or disrupting, both in the technical and figurative sense.
See also: break, breakable, breakaway, breakdown, breakdowns, breaking, breakthrough, breakthroughs, breakup, outbreak, unbreakable, unbroken.