broken-down
[ broh-kuhn-doun ]
/ ˈbroʊ kənˈdaʊn /
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adjective
shattered or collapsed, as with age; infirm.
having given way with use or age; out of working order: a broken-down chair.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of broken-down
First recorded in 1810–20
Words nearby broken-down
Broken Arrow, broken-check, broken chord, broken coal, broken consort, broken-down, broken field, broken heart, brokenhearted, Broken Hill, broken home
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for broken-down
broken-down
adjective
worn out, as by age or long use; dilapidateda broken-down fence
not in working ordera broken-down tractor
physically or mentally ill
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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