rupture
rupture Lexical Profile
rupture Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An instance of breaking or bursting suddenly and completely, or a tear or breach in an organ, tissue, or physical structure.
"Engineers inspected the pipeline immediately after sensors detected a pressure drop caused by a sudden rupture."
A serious disturbance, estrangement, or severance of harmonious relations between people, groups, or nations.
"The trade dispute threatened to cause a permanent rupture in diplomatic relations between the two countries."
An abdominal or inguinal hernia in which an internal organ protrudes through a weakened wall of muscle or tissue.
"After lifting the heavy crate, he was diagnosed with a painful abdominal rupture requiring surgical repair."
• verb
To break, burst, or tear suddenly and completely (especially of a pipe, container, or bodily tissue or organ).
"If an inflamed appendix is left untreated, it may rupture and cause a severe infection."
To sever or disturb (a harmonious relationship, agreement, or state of peace).
"The sudden betrayal threatened to rupture the long-standing alliance between the two partner firms."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French rupture, which derives from Latin ruptura ('a breaking, fracture of a bone or vein'), from the past participle stem of rumpere ('to break, burst, or tear').