broach
From WikiWord, the free dictionary
/bɹəʊtʃ/
English
Definitions
noun
- A series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel. For example, the toothed stone chisel shown here.
- A broad chisel for stone-cutting.
- A spit for cooking food.
- An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.
verb
- To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.
- To open, to make an opening into; to pierce.“French knights at Agincourt were unable to broach the English line.”
- To begin discussion about (something).“I broached the subject of contraceptives carefully when the teenager mentioned his promiscuity.”
noun
- A piece of women’s ornamental jewellery having a pin allowing it to be fixed to garments worn on the upper body.
- A painting all of one colour, such as a sepia painting.
verb
- To be turned sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.“The small boat broached and nearly sank, because of the large waves.”
- To cause to turn sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves (usually followed by to; also figurative).“Each time we came around into the wind, the sea broached our bow.”
Related words
Synonyms
breastpinbroochinitiatetackleraisetouchspireaddressaddressingdiscussmentionrefertreattacklingcope chiselbutt chisel