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| crack [ krak ] |
verb (past and past participle cracked, present participle crack·ing, 3rd person present singular cracks) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb break without coming fully apart: to break in such a way that a fine split or splits appear but the split sections do not come apart, or make something break in this way
  cracked a rib in falling
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2. transitive and intransitive verb break into pieces: to break into pieces, or break something into pieces
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3. transitive and intransitive verb break with sharp noise: to break with a sudden sharp noise, or make something break in this way
cracked some eggs into a saucepan
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4. transitive and intransitive verb make sharp noise: to make a loud sharp sound, or cause something such as a whip or a rifle to make a loud sharp sound
thunder cracked overhead
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5. transitive verb hit something hard: to hit something with a powerful impact
cracked his head on the beam
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6. transitive and intransitive verb break open under pressure: to break open because of pressure, or make something such as a nut break or open by pressure
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7. transitive and intransitive verb fail or make something fail: to fail, give way, or break down, or make somebody or something do so
The champion was two sets down, but he didn't crack.
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8. transitive and intransitive verb break down psychologically: to break down psychologically, or cause somebody to break down psychologically, e.g. under stress or torture
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9. intransitive verb become hoarse or change in pitch: to become slightly hoarse or suffer from uncontrollable changes in pitch, especially because of emotion or stress
(
refers to voices
)
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10. transitive verb beat record: to break through something such as an obstacle or barrier, or break a record
Three cyclists cracked the 10-second barrier.
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11. transitive verb open something slightly: to open something such as a window slightly
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12. transitive verb decode or solve something: to decipher or solve something such as a code, puzzle, or problem
Police are under pressure to crack the case.
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13. transitive verb break into something: to force a way into something, especially a safe
(
informal
)
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14. transitive verb open something to use: to open something such as a can or book, in order to get access to its contents
(
informal
)
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15. transitive verb industry break molecules down into smaller molecules: to break down something, especially the heavier hydrocarbons in petroleum, into smaller molecules by using heat or catalysis
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16. transitive verb comput disable copy protection: to defeat the copy protection that is intended to prevent somebody from illegally copying and distributing a software product, music CD, or DVD
(
slang
)
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17. transitive verb comput break into computer system: to gain unauthorized access to a computer system with the intention of doing damage or committing a crime
(
slang
)
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noun (plural cracks) |
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| Definition: |
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1. thin break: a break or flaw in something such as a mirror that is visible as a fine line
cracks in the ice
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2. long narrow opening: a relatively long narrow break, hole, or opening in something
peeked through a crack in the fence
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3. sharp noise: a sudden loud sharp noise
the crack of a rifle
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4. weakness: a flaw, defect, or weak spot
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5. uneven voice tone: a hoarseness or uncontrollable change in pitch in somebody's voice
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6. purified form of cocaine: a purified and extremely addictive form of cocaine
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7. blow: a hard blow from somebody or something
(
informal
)
a crack over the head
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8. sarcastic comment: a sarcastic, funny, or rude remark, especially at somebody else's expense
(
informal
)
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9. attempt: an attempt at something
(
informal
)
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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excellent: excellent, expert, or trained to a high degree of efficiency
She's a crack shot.
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| [ Old English cracian< Germanic, "make a loud noise"] |
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be not all he's or she's or it's cracked up to be to be not as good as promised or reputed
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crack a joke to tell a joke
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fall between or through the cracks to be overlooked or forgotten
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