Break.
1. A wooden bench on which dough is kneaded by means of a lever called a break-staff. The weight of the person, often in a sitting posture, is thrown upon the staff, which moves in a semicircular orbit around the bench, keeping up a saltatory motion by its flexibility and the dancing action of the operator. By this means the dough is worked up very dry, and makes the best kind of crackers. This duty is now performed by rollers, which receive their name from their duty, being called breaking-rollers.2. (Fortification.) A change from the general direction of the curtain near its extremity in the construction with orillons and retired flanks. Brisure.
3. (Printing.) The piece of metal contiguous to the shank of a type, so called because it is broken off in finishing.
4. (Architecture.) A projection or recess from the surface or wall of a building. 5. A sudden change of level, as of a deck. The break of a poop-deck is where it ends forward.
6. (Telegraphy.) A commutator or apparatus to interrupt or change the direction of electric currents. See brake, for devices for applying power, for restraining motion, etc.
