Difference between revisions of "Brake (meanings)"
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| − | The word '''brake''' exists as an [[adjective]], a [[noun]] and a [[verb]]. '' | + | The word '''brake''' exists as an [[adjective]], a [[noun]] and a [[verb]]. The general meaning of all of them in current English is usually 'slow down' or 'stop', but over history, both spellings have been used for some six other [[noun]]s, one [[adjective]] and five [[verb]]s with the principal spelling '''brake''' listed in ''[[OED]]'' (and for the two nouns and one verb with the current spelling '''break''', for which see [[Break (meanings)|break (meanings)]]). (Some writers confuse the [[homophone]]s [[brake - break|brake and brake]]. This is an error in current English. For example, of two meanings recorded in ''[[OED]]'' (1888) for the derived noun '''breakage''' , the first, "The action of a brake in stopping a train", is listed under the headword '''brakeage | breakage, ''n.'''''; the second - current - meaning, "the action or fact of breaking" (only listed as '''breakage'''), is not recorded before 1813. Because of this homophony, several of the meanings of '''brake''' seem to have beeen influenced by the meaning of '''break''' - the [[adjective]] '''brake''' (''Obs[olete] rare'', whose [[etymology]] in ''[[OED]]'' is " ? < break ''v.''", means 'fragile', or <nowiki>'</nowiki>'''break'''able'. |
| − | + | *Users of AWE such as students of literature or history who may come cross some of the other meanings of these words, which are not very current, may like to the following on some of the less familiar meanings. For a comprehensive view of all of them, see ''[[OED]]'', or another good historical dictionary. | |
| − | + | **'''Brake''' was the standard [[past tense]] form of the irregular verb 'to '''[[Break (irregular verb)|break]]'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>, which is now always '''broke''', until [[Early Modern English]]. For example, the [[Authorized Version]] (1611) translates (Mark, 14, 22-4) about the [[Last Supper]], "Jesus took bread, and blessed, and '''brake''' it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body." | |
| − | + | **A '''brake''' (noun) can be: | |
| − | *Users of AWE such as students of literature or history who may come cross some of the other meanings of these words, which are not very current, may like to | + | ***an obsolete (now [[dialect]] form of '''bracken''', with which it may be [[cognate]]. This may perhaps be the same word as |
| − | **'''Brake''' was the standard [[past tense]] form of the irregular verb 'to '''[[Break (irregular verb)|break]]'''<nowiki>'</nowiki>, which is now always '''broke''', until [[Early Modern English]]. | + | ***a clump of bushes, or thicket; |
| − | **A '''brake''' can be | + | ***a toothed instrument used for |
| − | ***a | + | |
***a | ***a | ||
Revision as of 13:04, 1 April 2013
The word brake exists as an adjective, a noun and a verb. The general meaning of all of them in current English is usually 'slow down' or 'stop', but over history, both spellings have been used for some six other nouns, one adjective and five verbs with the principal spelling brake listed in OED (and for the two nouns and one verb with the current spelling break, for which see break (meanings)). (Some writers confuse the homophones brake and brake. This is an error in current English. For example, of two meanings recorded in OED (1888) for the derived noun breakage , the first, "The action of a brake in stopping a train", is listed under the headword brakeage | breakage, n.; the second - current - meaning, "the action or fact of breaking" (only listed as breakage), is not recorded before 1813. Because of this homophony, several of the meanings of brake seem to have beeen influenced by the meaning of break - the adjective brake (Obs[olete] rare, whose etymology in OED is " ? < break v.", means 'fragile', or 'breakable'.
- Users of AWE such as students of literature or history who may come cross some of the other meanings of these words, which are not very current, may like to the following on some of the less familiar meanings. For a comprehensive view of all of them, see OED, or another good historical dictionary.
- Brake was the standard past tense form of the irregular verb 'to break', which is now always broke, until Early Modern English. For example, the Authorized Version (1611) translates (Mark, 14, 22-4) about the Last Supper, "Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body."
- A brake (noun) can be:
