name given by sailors to those billows that break violently over rocks lying under the surface of the sea. They are distinguished both by their appearance and sound, as they cover that part of the sea with a perpetual foam, and produce a hoarse and terrible roaring, very different from what the waves usually have in a deeper bottom. When a ship is unhappily driven among breakers, it is hardly possible to save her, as every billow that heaves her upwards serves to dash her down with additional force when it breaks over the rocks or sands beneath it.

Breaking, in a mercantile style, denotes the becoming bankrupt. See Bankrupt.

Breaking Bulk, in the sea-language, is the same with unloading part of the cargo.

Breakspear (Nicholas). See Adrian IV.