Dictionary
Find
in
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Translations

Click to move up the list of words
British Somaliland
British Standard Time
British Standards Institution
British Summer Time
British thermal unit
British Union of Fascists
British Virgin Islands
British West Indies
Britisher
Briton
Britpop
britska
Brittany
brittle
brittle-bone disease
brittle fracture
brittle star
Click to move down the list of words
Also available:

World English Dictionary
Dictionnaire Français

broach

broach [ brōch ]


verb  (past and past participle broached, present participle broach·ing, 3rd person present singular broach·es)
Definition:
 
1. transitive verb bring up difficult subject: to introduce a subject for discussion, usually one that is awkward
He finally broached the question of the loan.

2. transitive verb open container: to open a container for the first time

3. transitive verb pierce cask: to make a hole in a cask to draw off liquid

4. transitive verb bore hole: to make or enlarge a hole in something

5. intransitive verb navy come through surface of water: to break the surface of water from below without completely emerging ( refers to submarines )

6. intransitive verb nautical turn sideways to wind: to be turned broadside to the wind, e.g. by heavy seas, with a risk of capsizing ( refers to boats )



noun  (plural broach·es)
Definition:
 
1. tool for holes: a tool for enlarging holes

2. tool for piercing casks: a tool used for making holes in casks

3. roasting spit: a spit for roasting meat over a fire

4. jewellery 
Same as  brooch


[14th century. < Old French brocher "to stitch" < broche "skewer, long needle"]

broach·er noun

Spelling Note

Do not confuse the spelling of broach and brooch ("a dress ornament"), which sound similar.

Advertisement

© 2009 Microsoft