rupture

Definition

A burst, split, or break.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French rupture, or its source, Latin ruptūra (“a breaking, rupture (of a limb or vein)”) and Medieval Latin ruptūra (“a road, a field, a form of feudal tenure, a tax, etc.”), from the participle stem of rumpere (“to break, burst”).

Example Sentences

• "Hatch from the egg, that soon, / Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed / Their callow young."
• "He knew that policy would disincline Napoleon from a rupture with his family."
• "Thus a war was kindled with Lubec; Denmark took part with the king's enemies, and made use of a frivolous pretence, which demonstrated the inclination of his Danish majesty to come to a rupture."