break

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

1v.

of (ice in) rivers and lakes, melt as a result of the spring thaw.

See: break up(def. 1)

Quotations

1790

Here they begin to build their canoes, which are generally compleated very soon after the river ice breaks.

1910

The Teelee [River] broke.

2av.

move ahead of a dog team, a vehicle, or a party of people, making a way through heavy snow, often on snowshoes.

1852

Mr. T . . . walked ahead of us, in order to break a track through the untrodden snow.

<i>c</i>1902

A man who is breaking the way must keep his eyes on the ground... .

1921

There come days . . . when every foot of the way must be broken anew.

2bv.

make a way through heavy snow on a road. Also break open.

1882

He was five days from Humbolt and had to break the road to Duck Lake.

1913

. . . we hoped that the Government road would be broken enough to permit of better speed.

1959

Farmers had to break open their own road in winter and keep them in repair in summer.