brake
A device used to slow or stop the motion of a wheel, or of a vehicle, usually by friction (although other resistive forces, such as electromagnetic fields or aerodynamic drag, can also be used); also, the controls or apparatus used to engage such a mechanism such as the pedal in a car.
Noun 4 meanings
A device used to slow or stop the motion of a wheel, or of a vehicle, usually by friction (although other resistive forces, such as electromagnetic fields or aerodynamic drag, can also be used); also, the controls or apparatus used to engage such a mechanism such as the pedal in a car.
“She slammed the brakes when she saw a child run in front of the car.”
An ancient engine of war analogous to the crossbow and ballista.
The handle of a pump.
A baker’s kneading trough.
Verb 4 meanings
To operate a brake or brakes.
To be stopped or slowed (as if) by braking.
To bruise and crush; to knead.
“The farmer’s son brakes the flax while mother brakes the bread dough”
To pulverise with a harrow.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; possibly from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German brake (“nose ring, curb, flax brake”), which according to Watkins is related to sense 4 and from Proto-Germanic *brekaną (“to break”).
Similar and opposite words
BRAKE at a glance
BRAKE has 5 letters and scores 11 points in Scrabble (B 3 + R 1 + A 1 + K 5 + E 1) and 12 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #7,538 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with brake
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