C. T. Onions, A Shakespeare Glossary

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break the heart of, to kill or overwhelm with grief Cor. I. i. 217 “To break the heart of generosity,” Lr. III. iv. 4, Lucr. 1239 “they drown their eyes or break their hearts” ; break one's heart, to die Wiv. II. ii. 326 “they will break their hearts but they will effect,” Tit. V. i. 113; break a lance, to have a tilting match 1H6 III. ii. 50; break up, to tear open (seals) Mer.V. II. iv. 10, Wint. III. ii. 132 “Break up the seals, and read” ; with ref. to the technical term for carving a fowl LLL. IV. i. 56 “you can carve; Break up this capon” (see CAPON); break one's wind, to become broken-winded 1H4 II. ii. 13; break a word, to exchange words “with” Err. III. i. 75.