Main Entry:

bro·ken

Pronunciation:

\ˈbrō-kən\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English brocen, from past participle of brecan to break

Date:

13th century

1: violently separated into parts : shattered2: damaged or altered by breaking: as a: having undergone or been subjected to fracture <a broken leg> bof land surfaces : being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles c: violated by transgression <a broken promise> d: discontinuous, interrupted e: disrupted by change fof a tulip flower : having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern especially from virus infection 3 a: made weak or infirm b: subdued completely : crushed, sorrowful <a broken heart> <a broken spirit> c: bankrupt d: reduced in rank4 a: cut off : disconnected b: imperfectly spoken or written <broken English>5: not complete or full <a broken bale of hay>6: disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent <children from broken homes> <a broken family>

— bro·ken·ly adverb

— bro·ken·ness \-kə(n)-nəs\ noun