Present participle for to detach or snap off something
“I was warned never to break off any branches of the lone blackthorn tree, sacred to the fairies, which stood just beyond the eastern gable of the house.”
Present participle for to become severed or detached
“It was to be found in great slabs along the mountain sides where it would break off from time to time.”
Present participle for to stop performing an action or activity
“Thus, a considerable amount of political pressure had to be exerted to persuade him to break off any further negotiations with them.”
Present participle for to draw to an end or close
“A spokesman told newsmen in the evening that he feared that talks would break off abruptly.”
Present participle for to suspend, or to stop or cease temporarily
“I speculated that the negotiators might simply break off the meeting when they returned.”
Present participle for to cease to perform a specified action
Present participle for to knock or cut pieces off (a hard material)
Present participle for to leave or exit a place
Present participle for to remove completely, leaving no trace
Present participle for to reduce in extent or quantity
Present participle for to become silent or quiet
Present participle for to cause to feel less close, friendly or caring
Present participle for to cast off capriciously or unfeelingly, as a lover
The act or state of discontinuing an action or proceeding
The state or experience of being alienated or estranged
The action or process of disconnecting or dismembering from a structure or body
The end or conclusion of something
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