Meaning of broach in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API

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.

• A spire rising from a tower.

• A spit-like start on the head of a young stag.

• The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.

• The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.

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.

  Example: French knights at Agincourt were unable to broach the English line.

• To begin discussion about (something).

  Example: 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.

  Example: 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).

  Example: Each time we came around into the wind, the sea broached our bow.