Breach \Breach\ (br[=e]ch), n. [OE. breke, breche, AS. brice,
   gebrice, gebrece (in comp.), fr. brecan to break; akin to
   Dan. br[ae]k, MHG. breche, gap, breach. See Break, and cf.
   Brake (the instrument), Brack a break] .
   1. The act of breaking, in a figurative sense.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Specifically: A breaking or infraction of a law, or of any
      obligation or tie; violation; non-fulfillment; as, a
      breach of contract; a breach of promise.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A gap or opening made made by breaking or battering, as in
      a wall or fortification; the space between the parts of a
      solid body rent by violence; a break; a rupture.
      [1913 Webster]

            Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
            Or close the wall up with our English dead. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. A breaking of waters, as over a vessel; the waters
      themselves; surge; surf.
      [1913 Webster]

            The Lord hath broken forth upon mine enemies before
            me, as the breach of waters.          --2 Sam. v.
                                                  20.
      [1913 Webster]

   A clear breach implies that the waves roll over the vessel
      without breaking.

   A clean breach implies that everything on deck is swept
      away. --Ham. Nav. Encyc.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. A breaking up of amicable relations; rupture.
      [1913 Webster]

            There's fallen between him and my lord
            An unkind breach.                     --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   6. A bruise; a wound.
      [1913 Webster]

            Breach for breach, eye for eye.       --Lev. xxiv.
                                                  20.
      [1913 Webster]

   7. (Med.) A hernia; a rupture.
      [1913 Webster]

   8. A breaking out upon; an assault.
      [1913 Webster]

            The Lord had made a breach upon Uzza. --1. Chron.
                                                  xiii. 11.
      [1913 Webster]

   Breach of falth, a breaking, or a failure to keep, an
      expressed or implied promise; a betrayal of confidence or
      trust.

   Breach of peace, disorderly conduct, disturbing the public
      peace.

   Breach of privilege, an act or default in violation of the
      privilege or either house of Parliament, of Congress, or
      of a State legislature, as, for instance, by false
      swearing before a committee. --Mozley. Abbott.
      [1913 Webster] 

   Breach of promise, violation of one's plighted word, esp.
      of a promise to marry.

   Breach of trust, violation of one's duty or faith in a
      matter entrusted to one.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Rent; cleft; chasm; rift; aperture; gap; break;
        disruption; fracture; rupture; infraction; infringement;
        violation; quarrel; dispute; contention; difference;
        misunderstanding.
        [1913 Webster]