Breaking

A parting or dividing with force or violence; a severing ' by fracture; a removal of a part of a house or of any fastening designed to prevent intrusion; to enter in the night-time with felonious intent; a violating of a duty or obligation; an impeachment of validity by judicial proceedings. Breaking a case: the expression by the judges one to another of their views of a case, preliminary to a formal delivery of their opinions. Breaking a will: an estabappropriating its contents. Breaking doors: a forcible removing of the fastenings of a house so that a person may enter. Breaking jail, or prison: an escaping from lawful confinement, v. Breach.