Dictionary
break•a•way
Pronunciation: (brāk'u-wā"), [key]—
n.
1. an act or instance of breaking away; secession; separation:
the breakaway of two provinces from a state.
2. a departure or break from routine or tradition:
a three-day breakaway in the Bahamas.
3. a person or thing that breaks away.
4. an object, as a theatrical prop, constructed so that it breaks or falls apart easily, esp. upon impact.
5. Ice Hockey.a sudden rush down the ice by a player or players in an attempt to score a goal, after breaking clear of defending opponents.
6. Football.a run by an offensive player breaking through the defense for a long gain.
7. Basketball.See
fast break.
8. Chiefly Australian.
a. a stampede.
b. an animal that breaks away from the herd or flock.
—
adj.
1. of, pertaining to, or being that which separates or secedes:
the breakaway faction of the Socialist party.
2. departing from routine or tradition.
3. constructed of such lightweight material or in such a way as to shatter or come apart easily:
breakaway highway signposts; Build a breakaway set for the barroom brawl.
4. (of theatrical costumes) constructed so as to be quickly removable, as by a performer playing several roles.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
