in a general sense, denotes a break or rupture in some part of a fence or enclosure, whether owing to time or violence.—Inundations, or overflowings of lands, are frequently owing to breaches in the dikes or sea banks. Dagenham breach is famous; it was made in 1707, by a failure of the Thames wall in a very high tide. The force wherewith it burst in upon the neighbouring level tore up a large channel or pallage for water 100 yards wide, and in some places 20 feet deep, by which a multitude of subterraneous trees that had been buried many ages before were laid bare.

Fortification, a gape made in any part of the works of a town by the cannon or mines of the besiegers, in order to make an attack upon the place. To make the attack more difficult, the besieged sow the breach with crow-feet, or stop it with chevaux de frise.—A practicable breach, is that where the men may mount and make a lodgment, and ought to be 15 or 20 fathoms wide. The besiegers make their way to it, by covering themselves with gabions, earth-bags, &c.