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 lands beneath it.

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

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

Breakspear (Nicholas). See Adrian IV.