broke

1. pastsimple past of break
2. archaicnonstandardparticiplepastpoeticpast participle of break

   1999 October 3, J. Stewart Burns, "Mars University", Futurama, season 2, episode 2, Fox Broadcasting Company Guenther: I guess the hat must have broke my fall.

   2 more examples

   Accordingly, he came with a mob the next day; and after they had broke all the windows...

   1853, John Welsey, The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, Volume 7, page 261

   The horse was the grey stallion he aye rode, the very beast he had ridden for many a wager with the wild lads of the Cross Keys. No man but himself durst back it, and it had lamed many a hostler lad and broke two necks in its day.

   1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide

comparative broker · comparative more broke · superlative brokest · superlative most broke

1. informalnot comparableusuallyFinancially ruined, bankrupt.

   He was broke after spending all his money into video games.

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   It seems some of his Creditors have taken notice of it, and he was like to be broke yesterday in his absence.

   1665 July 6, Samuel Pepys, Vol. VI, p. 150

   [I]f the Markets do not riſe in time, or if his Crops fail in the Interim, his Landlord ſeizes on his Stock, and then he knows not how it may be ſold, Actions are brought againſt him, the Bailiffs and Attornies pull him to Pieces; and then our Virgilian Farmer is broke.

   1731, [Jethro Tull], “[Of Differences between the Old and the New Husbandry.] Of the Different Goodness of a Crop”, in The New Horse-Houghing Husbandry: or, An Essay on the Principles of Tillage and Vegetation. […], London: […] [T]he Author, →OCLC, page 148

2. informalnot comparableusuallyWithout any money, penniless.

   dead broke; flat broke

   Synonyms: almsless, arm, badly off, bankrupt, beggared, beggarly, boracic, broken

3. archaicinformalnot comparableusuallyBroken.

   If it ain’t broke, don't fix it.

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   If the farmer is seriously injured by the depressed state of the markets, his spirit is broke, and there must ensue a very general discredit with regard to the farming business;

   1822, William Wolryche Whitmore, A Letter on the Present State and Future Prospects of Agriculture, page 53

   I can't get used to living here / While my heart is broke, my tears I cry for you

   1973, “Photograph”, in Ringo, performed by Ringo Starr

   Watkins notified the shop foreman immediately, whereupon the car was inspected and found to have a broke axle.

   1983, Chicago Transit Authority, CTA Transit News, volume 36, page 8

   A broke horse tries to do anything I want, and that is expected of any horse.

   2011, Mike Major, Fran Devereux Smith, Ranch-Horse Versatility: A Winner's Guide to Successful Rides

4. not comparableusuallygovernmentDemoted, deprived of a commission.

   He was broke and rendered unfit to serve His Majesty at sea.

   1 more example

   Memoirs of the most remarkable military transactions from the year 1683 to 1718, by Captain Robert Parker. "Whereupon Sir John was broke, as he well deserved; several other officers also shared the same fate; particularly his two sons, one a Lieutenant-colonel, the other a Captain."

plural brokes

1. countableuncountableartsPaper or board that is discarded and repulped during the manufacturing process.

   These mills purchase broke from other paper mills through middlemen and use it to make paper.

   2014 September 25, Judge Diane Wood, NCR Corp. v. George A. Whiting Paper Co.

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   If the broke accumulates, a larger proportion can be used in making coloured papers, otherwise the above quantity is sufiicient.

   1880, James Dunbar, The Practical Papermaker: A Complete Guide to the Manufacture of Paper, page 12

   Presumably, most of the brokes and waste were used up in this manner, and during the manufacture of the coarse stuff little or no attention was paid to either cleanliness or colour.

   1914, The World's Paper Trade Review Volume 62, page 204

2. countableobsoleteuncountableA fragment, remains, a piece broken off.

   Why dost though linger, then, / To hear the flatteries of these men of rags? / These bankrupt beggar-men, / Whose riches are the broke meat in their bags?

   1855, January Searle, Poems, page 4

present singular third person brokes · participle present broking · participle past broked · past broked

1. To act as a broker; to transact business for another; synonym of broker.

   Agents broking with various other carriers can offer additional options.

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   The only evidence of bill-broking is, that he has often been a party to bills of exchange

   1837, Comprising Reports of Cases in the Courts of Chancery […]

   […]because the Spanish equity market was substantially over-broked even at the height of its bull market, with over 50 brokers servicing the market.

   1992, Philippe Moore, The 1992 guide to European equity markets

2. obsoleteTo act as procurer in love matters; to pimp.

   But we do want a certain necessary / Woman, to broke between them CUPID said;

   1655 [1572], Luís de Camões, translated by Richard Fanshawe, The Lusiad, translation of original in Portuguese, Canto IX, stanza 44

   1 more example

   And brokes with all that can in such a suit / Corrupt the tender honour of a maid.

   c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene v]

comparative more broke · superlative most broke

1. slangBroke off, rich, wealthy.

1. A locality in the Singleton council area, eastern New South Wales, Australia.