breaker
/'breikə/
Definition
- Noun:
- A device that trips like a switch and opens the circuit when overloaded: An electrical safety device designed to interrupt the flow of current in a circuit when it exceeds a safe level, preventing damage or fire.
- Waves breaking on the shore: A wave that collapses into foam as it reaches the shore or strikes an obstacle.
- A quarry worker who splits off blocks of stone: A laborer in a quarry whose job is to break large masses of stone into smaller, usable blocks.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Electrical Device):
- The power surge caused the breaker to trip, cutting off electricity to the kitchen.
- If an appliance stops working, check the circuit breaker panel first.
- Noun (Wave):
- Surfers waited beyond the sandbar for the perfect breaker to ride.
- The constant roar of the breakers against the cliffs was a soothing sound.
- Noun (Quarry Worker):
- The experienced breaker used wedges and hammers to split the granite slab precisely.
- In the 19th century, a breaker's job was physically demanding and dangerous.
Advanced Usage
- "Breaker" in CB Radio Slang: Used as a call signal to initiate a conversation or request a channel.
- "Breaker, breaker one-nine, this is Big Rig looking for a copy. Come on."
- "Breaker boy" (Historical): Refers to a child laborer, historically in coal mines, whose job was to separate impurities from coal by hand.
- The photographs of breaker boys highlighted the need for child labor laws.
Variants and Related Words
- Break (v): To separate into pieces; to interrupt.
- Breaker Point (n): A component in the ignition system of some internal combustion engines.
- Breaker Yard (n): A facility where ships are dismantled for scrap.
- Circuit Breaker (n): The full, more specific term for the electrical device.
- Icebreaker (n): A ship designed to break through ice; or an activity to ease tension in a social setting.
- Lawbreaker (n): A person who violates the law.
- Record Breaker (n): A person or thing that surpasses a previous record or achievement.
Synonyms
- Electrical Device: Circuit breaker, cut-out, safety switch.
- Wave: Surf, comber, whitecap.
- Quarry Worker: Stonecutter, rock splitter, quarrier.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: 'Breaker' is primarily a noun. The related verb 'break' has many phrasal verbs.) - Break down: To stop functioning; to decompose; to analyze in detail. - The old generator is likely to break down soon. - Break up: To separate into smaller pieces; to end a relationship. - The coast guard vessel helped break up the ice floe.
Related Idioms
- To be a heartbreaker: To be someone who causes emotional pain, typically by ending romantic relationships.
- In his youth, he was known as a real heartbreaker.
- To make a clean break: To end a situation or relationship completely and decisively.
- After the scandal, she decided to make a clean break and start a new career abroad.
Noun
-
a device that trips like a switch and opens the circuit when overloaded
-
waves breaking on the shore
-
a quarry worker who splits off blocks of stone
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