broken ground

Broken \Bro"ken\ (br[=o]"k'n), a. [From {Break}, v. t.]
   1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into
      fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish.
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   2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a
      broken surface.
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   3. Fractured; cracked; disunited; sundered; strained; apart;
      as, a broken reed; broken friendship.
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   4. Made infirm or weak, by disease, age, or hardships.
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            The one being who remembered him as he been before
            his mind was broken.                  --G. Eliot.
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            The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay,
            Sat by his fire, and talked the night away.
                                                  --Goldsmith.
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   5. Subdued; humbled; contrite.
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            The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. --Ps. li.
                                                  17.
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   6. Subjugated; trained for use, as a horse.
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   7. Crushed and ruined as by something that destroys hope;
      blighted. "Her broken love and life." --G. Eliot.
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   8. Not carried into effect; not adhered to; violated; as, a
      broken promise, vow, or contract; a broken law.
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   9. Ruined financially; incapable of redeeming promises made,
      or of paying debts incurred; as, a broken bank; a broken
      tradesman.
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   10. Imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner; as, broken
       English; imperfectly spoken on account of emotion; as, to
       say a few broken words at parting.
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             Amidst the broken words and loud weeping of those
             grave senators.                      --Macaulay.
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   {Broken ground}.
       (a) (Mil.) Rough or uneven ground; as, the troops were
           retarded in their advance by broken ground.
       (b) Ground recently opened with the plow.

   {Broken line} (Geom.), the straight lines which join a number
      of given points taken in some specified order.

   {Broken meat}, fragments of meat or other food.

   {Broken number}, a fraction.

   {Broken weather}, unsettled weather.
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