Definition of the word break off

The origin of the phrase "break off" can be traced back to the Middle English language, which was spoken in the 14th and 15th centuries. During this time, the phrase was spelled "breken off" and it was used to refer to the act of separating or detaching something by forcefully tearing or pulling it apart. The phrase is made up of two separate words: "break" and "off". "Break" is an Old English word that means to crush, shatter, or split something into pieces. The meaning of the word has been applied to the idea of separating objects or groups as well. In "off", we see the Old English word "æf", which originally meant separation or departure. Interestingly, the phrase "break off" has several related words in English, such as "breakaway", "break free", and "break clear". These words all share a common meaning of separating from a larger group or entity. Overall, the phrase "break off" is a simple yet effective expression that has been in use in English for centuries, and it continues to be widely used today in a variety of contexts to describe the act of separating or detaching something from a larger group or entity.