释义 |
breakaway I. \ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun (plural breakaways \-āz\ ; also breaks·away \-ksəˌwā\) Etymology: break away 1. : an act or instance of breaking away (as from a group, affiliation, standard, or tradition) < a breakaway by this discontented faction > < a breakaway from classical tradition > 2. Australia a. : a stampede especially of cattle or sheep b. : an animal that breaks away from the herd 3. a. : a premature start of one or more contestants in a race; sometimes : the start of a race or speed trial b. : the moment when hunting dogs are cast off by the handler c. : a sudden offensive rush toward an opponent's goal 4. : a theatrical prop (as a chair) made to shatter harmlessly on slight pressure or impact < belaboring each other with breakaways in fight scenes > 5. Australia : an escarpment overlooking a plain or at the edge of a plateau 6. : a scrummager who does not usually push but waits in readiness to break away from the scrum immediately after the ball comes out II. adjective 1. Britain : given to breaking away : favoring disaffiliation from a group : operating as independent of an original affiliation < a breakaway union > < a breakaway movement > 2. a. : made as a breakaway : constructed to break, shatter, or bend with slight pressure < to slug it out with fists and breakaway chairs right up in front of the camera — Gary Cooper > b. : constructed for very fast dismounting or changing < breakaway sets cutting time spent between scenes of the play > III. noun : a sudden acceleration by one or more bicyclists pulling away from the pack in a race |