əˈfɛnd ˈɹʌptʃə ˈsɛv.ɹəns tɹænzˈɡɹɛs ˈvaɪəˌleɪt a failure to perform some promised act or obligation make an opening or gap in act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises offend all laws of humanity violate the basic laws or human civilization break a law break a promise a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions) they hoped to avoid a break in relations an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)