Collins English-English Dictionary

broken ['brəυkən]

1. 1. vb the past participle of break

2. 2. adj fractured, smashed, or splintered

   a broken vase

3. 3. adj imperfect or incomplete; fragmentary

   a broken set of books

4. 4. adj interrupted; disturbed; disconnected

   broken sleep

5. 5. adj intermittent or discontinuous

   broken sunshine

6. 6. adj varying in direction or intensity, as of pitch

   a broken note

   a broken run

7. 7. adj not functioning

   a broken radio

8. 8. adj spoilt or ruined by divorce (esp in the phrases broken home, broken marriage)

9. 9. adj (of a trust, promise, contract, etc) violated; infringed

10. 10. adj overcome with grief or disappointment

    a broken heart

11. 11. adj (of the speech of a foreigner) imperfect in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation

    broken English

12. 12. adj made tame or disciplined by training

    a broken horse

    a broken recruit

13. 13. adj exhausted or weakened as through ill-health or misfortune

14. 14. adj confused or disorganized

    broken ranks of soldiers

15. 15. adj breached or opened

    broken defensive lines

16. 16. adj irregular or rough; uneven

    broken ground

17. 17. adj bankrupt or out of money

    a broken industry

18. 18. adj (of colour) having a multicoloured decorative effect, as by stippling paint onto a surface

19. 19. adj [South African] [informal] drunk