broach

[brohch]

noun

1. Machinery.,  an elongated, tapered, serrated cutting tool for shaping and enlarging holes.

2. a spit for roasting meat.

3. a gimlet for tapping casks.

4. (in a lock) a pin receiving the barrel of a key.

5. Architecture.,  Also broach spire an octagonal spire rising directly from a tower without any intervening feature.

6. Masonry.,  a pointed tool for the rough dressing of stone.

7. brooch.

verb (used with object)

1. to enlarge and finish with a broach.

   Synonyms: advance, submit, propose, introduce

2. to mention or suggest for the first time.

   to broach a subject.

3. to draw (beer, liquor, etc.), as by tapping.

   to broach beer from a keg.

4. to tap or pierce.

5. Masonry.,  to shape or dress (a block of stone).

verb (used without object)

1. Nautical.,  (of a sailing vessel) to veer to windward.

2. to break the surface of water; rise from the sea, as a fish or a submarine.

broach

¹

/ brəʊtʃ /

verb

1. (tr) to initiate (a topic) for discussion

   to broach a dangerous subject

2. (tr) to tap or pierce (a container) to draw off (a liquid)

   to broach a cask

   to broach wine

3. (tr) to open in order to begin to use

   to broach a shipment

4. (intr) to break the surface of the water

   the trout broached after being hooked

5. (tr) machinery to enlarge and finish (a hole) by reaming

noun

1. a long tapered toothed cutting tool for enlarging holes

2. a spit for roasting meat, etc

3. a roof covering the corner triangle on the top of a square tower having an octagonal spire

4. a pin, forming part of some types of lock, that registers in the hollow bore of a key

5. a tool used for tapping casks

6. a less common spelling of brooch

broach

²

/ brəʊtʃ /

verb

1. nautical (usually foll by to) to cause (a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously or (of a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously in a following sea, so as to be broadside to the waves

Other Word Forms

• broacher noun
• unbroached adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of broach¹

1175–1225; (noun) Middle English broche < Anglo-French, Old French < Vulgar Latin *brocca spike, horn, tap of a cask ( Medieval Latin broca ), noun use of feminine of Latin adj. brocc ( h ) us projecting (said of teeth); (v.) Middle English brochen < Old French broch ( i ) er, derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of broach¹

C14: from Old French broche , from Vulgar Latin brocca (unattested), from Latin brochus projecting

Origin of broach²

C18: perhaps from _broach ¹ in obsolete sense of turn on a spit

Example Sentences

When broaching this topic, don’t ask what seems fair, said Nashira Lynton, a financial therapist and founder of Renewed Wealth Therapy.

Read more on MarketWatch

Talks to free the trapped Hamas fighters began last week, after the U.S. broached the idea of offering them safe passage, Arab officials said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Media outlets and journalists risk sanctions and arrest for broaching sensitive topics and for criticising the government, while online content deemed to threaten Communist rule is blocked.

Read more on BBC

Perhaps Lansbury isn’t the most obvious role model or hero — no cape, but instead an adorable blazer, broach and practical pumps.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

On the weekly chart, the stock is once again approaching the key $30 round number, an area it has tested three times since mid-2022, but failed to broach.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• bring up 
• hint at www.thesaurus.com
• moot 
• touch on