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.
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.