Breach (brēch), n. [OE. breke, breche, AS. brice, gebrice, gebrece (in comp.), fr. brecan to break; akin to Dan. bræk, MHG. breche, gap, breach. See Break, and cf. Brake (the instrument), Brack a break]. 1. The act of breaking, in a figurative sense.
2. Specifically: A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any obligation or tie; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a breach of contract; a breach of promise.
3. A gap or opening made made by breaking or battering, as in a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
Shak.
4. A breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters themselves; surge; surf.
The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters.
2 Sam. v. 20.
A clear breach implies that the waves roll over the vessel without breaking. — A clean breach implies that everything on deck is swept away. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
5. A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture.
There's fallen between him and my lord
An unkind breach.
Shak.
6. A bruise; a wound.
Breach for breach, eye for eye.
Lev. xxiv. 20.
7. (Med.) A hernia; a rupture.
8. A breaking out upon; an assault.
The Lord had made a breach upon Uzza.
1. Chron. xiii. 11.
Breach of falth, a breaking, or a failure to keep, an expressed or implied promise; a betrayal of confidence or trust. — Breach of peace, disorderly conduct, disturbing the public peace. — Breach of privilege, an act or default in violation of the privilege or either house of Parliament, of Congress, or of a State legislature, as, for instance, by false swearing before a committee. Mozley. Abbott.
- Breach of promise, violation of one's plighted word, esp. of a promise to marry. — Breach of trust, violation of one's duty or faith in a matter entrusted to one.
Syn. — Rent; cleft; chasm; rift; aperture; gap; break; disruption; fracture; rupture; infraction; infringement; violation; quarrel; dispute; contention; difference; misunderstanding.