ice|break|er

ice|break|er
ice|break|er «YS BRAY kuhr», noun.
1. a strong boat used to break a channel through ice; iceboat: »

An atomic-powered icebreaker [makes] possible much broader explorations of polar regions (Wall Street Journal).

2. a structure for protection against moving ice, such as an ice apron: »

The supporting columns…had to be designed to work as icebreakers (Wall Street Journal).

3. a tool or machine for breaking ice into small pieces.
4. Figurative. something that breaks the ice; anything that serves to stimulate or enliven conversation, a social gathering, or other meeting or discussion: »

Salesmen use an icebreaker in the form of a large lapel button (Wall Street Journal).

[American English < ice + breaker1. Compare Dutch ijsbreker.]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • ice-break|ing — «YS BRAY kihng», noun, adjective. Figurative. –n. the practice of stimulating or enlivening conversation, a social gathering, or other meeting or discussion between persons or groups. –adj. that serves to stimulate or enliven conversation, a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • ice·break·er — /ˈaısˌbreıkɚ/ noun, pl ers [count] 1 : a ship designed to clear a passage through ice 2 : something done or said to help people to relax and begin talking at a meeting, party, etc. using an old joke as a conversational icebreaker see also break… …   Useful english dictionary

  • The Ice Break — is an opera in three acts by Michael Tippett, to an original English libretto by the composer. It was first produced at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on July 7, 1977, conducted by Colin Davis, the dedicatee of the opera. [Dean, Winton,… …   Wikipedia

  • The Ice Break — est un opéra en trois actes de Michael Tippett sur un livret du compositeur. Il est créé à Covent Garden de Londres le 7 juillet 1977 sous la direction de Colin Davis. Distribution Rôles Lev, professeur Nadia, sa femme Yuri, leur fils… …   Wikipédia en Français

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  • Break — (br[=a]k), v. i. 1. To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder. [1913 Webster] 2. To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • break the ice — phrasal 1. : to make a beginning 2. : to get through the first difficulties in starting a conversation or discussion * * * break the ice (figurative) To get through first difficulties, esp restraint on first meeting • • • Main Entry: ↑break break …   Useful english dictionary

  • ice — iceless, adj. icelike, adj. /uys/, n., v., iced, icing, adj. n. 1. the solid form of water, produced by freezing; frozen water. 2. the frozen surface of a body of water. 3. any substance resembling frozen water: camphor ice …   Universalium

  • ice — 1 /aIs/ noun 1 (U) water that has frozen into a solid state: Would you like some ice in your drink? | The wind blew the snow across the ice on the lake. | Her hands were as cold as ice. 2 keep/put something on ice to do nothing about a plan or… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • break */*/*/ — I UK [breɪk] / US verb Word forms break : present tense I/you/we/they break he/she/it breaks present participle breaking past tense broke UK [brəʊk] / US [broʊk] past participle broken UK [ˈbrəʊkən] / US [ˈbroʊkən] 1) [transitive] to make… …   English dictionary

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