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break up
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1
of (ice in) rivers and lakes, melt as a result of the spring thaw.
Quotations
1715
The River did break up on the Seventh of May & ye waters forc'd the River to break to before wee had any thaw. . . .
1807
It is brought to Quebec and Montreal as soon as the ice breaks up, and the navigation opens in the river [St. Lawrence].
1965
The KFC . . . will be unable to land once the ice begins to break up.
2
of roads, become muddy and often impassable as a result of the spring thaw.
Quotations
1812
From the thaws in the days and frosts in the nights, it is probable that we shall have a month's communication with the country before the breaking up of the winter roads.
1883
They appear to be laying in a good supply before the roads break up.
1912
The trip alluded to . . . was one . . . taken when the roads were breaking up. . . .