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Break down
noun, verb
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Misspelling of breakdown. alt-of, misspelling
Verb
- 1 To stop functioning. intransitive, usually
"I am afraid my computer will break down if I try to run it at too high a speed."
- 2 collapse due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack wordnet
- 3 To unexpectedly collapse, physically or in structure. intransitive
- 4 separate (substances) into constituent elements or parts wordnet
- 5 To intentionally demolish; to pull down. transitive
Show 14 more definitions
- 6 stop operating or functioning wordnet
- 7 To fail, especially socially or for political reasons. intransitive
"Talks broke down between Prime Minister John Doe and the opposition party."
- 8 make a mathematical, chemical, or grammatical analysis of; break down into components or essential features wordnet
- 9 To give in or give up: relent, concede, surrender. idiomatic, intransitive
"Is it worth taking it to a repair shop, or should I just break down and buy a new one?"
- 10 make ineffective wordnet
- 11 To render or to become unstable due to stress, to collapse physically or mentally. ergative, figuratively
"Near-synonym: come undone"
- 12 cause to fall or collapse wordnet
- 13 To render or to become weak and ineffective. ergative, figuratively
"His authority and influence over his coordinates broke down gradually."
- 14 lose control of one's emotions wordnet
- 15 To (cause to) decay, to decompose. ergative
"Leaves and grass will break down into compost faster if you keep them moist."
- 16 fall apart wordnet
- 17 To separate into a number of parts.
"Near-synonyms: break apart, break up, take apart, tear down, tear up"
- 18 To divide into parts to give more details, to provide a more indepth analysis of. ergative, figuratively
"Near-synonym: analyze"
- 19 To digest. ergative
"Near-synonym: catabolize"
See also for "break down"
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Unscramble this word: breakdown