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rupture

Pronunciation: /ˈrʌptʃə/
Translate rupture | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of rupture

verb

  • 1 [no object] (especially of a pipe or container, or bodily part such as an organ or membrane) break or burst suddenly:if the main artery ruptures he could die
  • [with object] cause to break or burst suddenly:the impact ruptured both fuel tanks
  • (be ruptured or rupture oneself) suffer an abdominal hernia:one of the boys was ruptured and needed to be fitted with a truss
  • 2 [with object] breach or disturb (a harmonious feeling or situation):once trust and confidence has been ruptured it can be difficult to regain

noun

  • 1an instance of breaking or bursting suddenly and completely:a small hairline crack could develop into a rupture [mass noun]:the patient died after rupture of an aneurysm
  • an abdominal hernia.
  • 2a breach of a harmonious relationship:the rupture with his father would never be healed

Origin:

late Middle English (as a noun): from Old French rupture or Latin ruptura, from rumpere 'to break'. The verb dates from the mid 18th century

rupture in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of rupture in the US English dictionary

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