broken-off
|bro-ken-off|
🇺🇸
/ˈbroʊkən ˈɔf/
🇬🇧
/ˈbrəʊkən ˈɒf/
(break off)
separate by breaking
Etymology
'break off' originates from Old English: 'brecan' (to break) combined with 'of'/'off' (away, from).
'break' comes from Old English 'brecan' (to break). The particle 'off' comes from Old English 'of' meaning 'away'. In Middle English the combination appeared as phrases like 'breken of' or 'breken off', which evolved into the modern phrasal verb 'break off'.
Initially it meant 'to break away or separate physically'; over time the phrase extended metaphorically to mean 'to end or discontinue (a relationship, conversation, negotiation)' as well.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past participle form of 'break off' meaning 'to detach something by breaking it away'.
A piece of the vase had been broken-off during the move.
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Verb 2
past participle form of 'break off' meaning 'to stop or end abruptly (a conversation, negotiation, relationship, etc.)'.
Their discussion was suddenly broken-off when the alarm went off.
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Last updated: 2025/12/15 10:03