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 hearse 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.

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.