Broach
Broach
n.
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A spit. [Obs.]
He turned a broach that had worn a crown.
- An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers. [Prov. Eng.]
- A tool of steel, generally tapering, and of a polygonal form, with from four to eight cutting edges, for smoothing or enlarging holes in metal; sometimes made smooth or without edges, as for burnishing pivot holes in watches; a reamer. The broach for gun barrels is commonly square and without taper. (Mech.)
- A broad chisel for stonecutting. (Masonry)
- A spire rising from a tower. (Arch.) [Local, Eng.]
- A clasp for fastening a garment. See Brooch.
- A spitlike start, on the head of a young stag.
- The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.
- The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.
Broach
v. t.
imp. & p. p. Broached; p. pr. & vb. n. Broaching
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To spit; to pierce as with a spit.
I'll broach the tadpole on my rapier's point.
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To tap; to pierce, as a cask, in order to draw the liquor. Hence: To let out; to shed, as blood.
Whereat with blade, with bloody blameful blade, He bravely broached his boiling bloody breast.
-
To open for the first time, as stores.
You shall want neither weapons, victuals, nor aid; I will open the old armories, I will broach my store, and will bring forth my stores.
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To make public; to utter; to publish first; to put forth; to introduce as a topic of conversation.
Those very opinions themselves had broached.
- To cause to begin or break out. [Obs.]
- To shape roughly, as a block of stone, by chiseling with a coarse tool. (Masonry) [Scot. & North of Eng.]
- To enlarge or dress (a hole), by using a broach.
Phrases & Compounds
- To broach to
- to incline suddenly to windward, so as to lay the sails aback, and expose the vessel to the danger of oversetting.