Search results for 'brake':

brake¹ noun 1 a device used to slow down or stop a moving vehicle or machine, or to prevent the movement of a parked vehicle, eg by applying friction to the surface of a rotating part such as a wheel, brake drum or disc. 2 anything which makes something stop, prevents or slows down progress, etc • a brake on public spending. 3 a shooting brake. 4 a toothed instrument for crushing flax or hemp. 5 (also brake harrow) a type of harrow for breaking up large lumps of hard earth. verb (braked, braking) 1 intrans to apply or use a brake. 2 to use a brake to make (a vehicle) slow down or stop. 3 to crush (flax or hemp) by beating.
ETYMOLOGY: 18c: related to break.

brake² noun an area of wild rough ground covered with low bushes, brushwood, etc; a thicket.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c, originally referring to broken branches, stumps, etc: probably from a German dialect word, but also related to break.