broken

UK: ˈbrəʊkən | US: ˈbroʊkən

Definition

  1. adj. 1. physically fractured or damaged

  2. adj. 2. not functioning properly; out of order

  3. adj. 3. (of a person) emotionally defeated or exhausted

  4. v. (past participle of "break")

Structure
break <to separate into pieces>en <past participle suffix>
Etymology

The word "broken" originates from the Old English "brocen," the past participle of "brecan" (to break). The root "break" traces back to Proto-Germanic *brekaną, meaning "to shatter," and further to Proto-Indo-European *bhreg- (to crack). The suffix "-en" was commonly used in Old English to form past participles. Over time, "broken" evolved to describe not just physical fractures but also metaphorical states of dysfunction or emotional distress.

Examples

  1. The vase lay broken on the floor.

  2. My phone screen is broken after the fall.

  3. She spoke in broken English, struggling with grammar.

  4. The system has been broken for weeks.

  5. He felt broken after the loss of his job.