Rup″ture (?; 135), n. [L. ruptura, fr. rumpere, ruptum to break: cf. F. rupture. See Reave, and cf. Rout a defeat.] 1. The act of breaking apart, or separating; the state of being broken asunder; as, the rupture of the skin; the rupture of a vessel or fiber; the rupture of a lutestring. Arbuthnot.
Hatch from the egg, that soon,
Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed
Their callow young. Milton.
2. Breach of peace or concord between individuals; open hostility or war between nations; interruption of friendly relations; as, the parties came to a rupture.
He knew that policy would disincline Napoleon from a rupture with his family. E. Everett.
3. (Med.) Hernia. See Hernia.
4. A bursting open, as of a steam boiler, in a less sudden manner than by explosion. See Explosion.
Modulus of rupture. (Engin.) See under Modulus.
Syn. — Fracture; breach; break; burst; disruption; dissolution. See Fracture.