Crack Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Scientific Context

• In materials science, a crack can lead to structural failure, making understanding them crucial in engineering.
• Crack propagation is a study area in physics that examines how and why cracks expand or form.
• Microcracks can occur at a microscopic level in various materials, affecting their overall strength.

Pop Culture

• The phrase 'to crack a code' refers to breaking through barriers to understand secret messages, common in spy movies.
• In the world of comedy, 'cracking jokes' means to tell funny stories or puns, linking to the idea of breaking tension with laughter.
• Pop culture also features 'crack' in music and art, symbolizing disruptive creativity or rebellion.

Psychology

• The term 'crack under pressure' refers to someone losing their composure in stressful situations, often studied in stress psychology.
• Cracking a problem can enhance creativity, as it involves breaking down complex ideas into simpler parts for better understanding.
• In therapy, identifying emotional 'cracks' in one’s life can help individuals heal and grow.

Literature

• In literary works, cracks often symbolize flaws in a character or society, representing the underlying issues needing resolution.
• Authors frequently use the imagery of a crack in a surface to indicate deeper emotional struggles or conflicts.
• Classic literature often features themes of 'breaking' to explore transformations and revelations in characters.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from the Old English 'cracian', which means to make a loud noise.
• Historically, it was used to describe the sound of breaking things before evolving into describing the breaks themselves.
• In different languages, similar words are often connected to noise or sharp sounds, emphasizing its onomatopoeic roots.

The word 'crack' has a long history, originating from Old English 'cracian' meaning 'to resound'. Over time, the word evolved to encompass various meanings related to sharp sounds, breaks, and splitting. It has been used in English language for centuries in different contexts.

See also: cracked, cracker, crackers, cracking, crackle, crackling, crackly.

With rank #4,661, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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