break

Separation into parts.

- double-strand b. a b. in double-stranded DNA in which both strands have been cleaved; however, the two strands have not separated from each other.

- single-strand b. a b. in double-stranded DNA in which only one of the two strands has been cleaved; both strands have not separated from each other.

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break 'brāk vb, broke 'brōk; bro·ken 'brō-kən; break·ing vt

1 a) to snap into pieces: FRACTURE <\break a bone>

b) to fracture the bone of (a bodily part) <the blow broke her arm>

c) to dislocate or dislocate and fracture a bone of (the neck or back)

2 a) to cause an open wound in: RUPTURE <\break the skin>

b) to rupture the surface of and permit flowing out or effusing <\break an artery> <he broke several veins during his seizure> vi

1) to fail in health or strength often used with down <he broke down under the strain>

2) to suffer complete or marked loss of resistance, composure, resolution, morale, or command of a situation often used with down <the prisoner broke down under interrogation and told the whole story>

break n

1 a) an act or action of breaking: FRACTURE

b) the act of opening a gap in an electrical circuit

2 a) a condition produced by breaking <the \break in her leg>

b) a gap in an otherwise continuous electric circuit

3) the occurrence of a disease in a person or esp. in a domestic animal supposed to be immune to or to have been completely isolated from exposure to that disease

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(brāk) 1. to interrupt the continuity, or an interruption in the continuity of a structure, especially a bone. See fracture. 2. the interruption of an electric circuit, as distinguished from the make.