Obs. [OE. bryce, ME. bruche (ü) = OHG. bruh, MHG., modGer. bruch, MLG. broke, MDu. brōke, bröke, Du. breuk:—OTeut. *brukiz-, from stem bruk- of brek-an to BREAK. In later ME. superseded by breche, BREACH.]

1

  1.  The action of breaking, fracture; fig. the breaking or violation of a command, engagement, etc.; transgression.

2

a. 900.  Pol. Laws Ælfred, § 3 (Bosw.). Ðæs borʓes bryce.

3

a. 1000.  Guthlac, 670 (Gr.). Ne sy him banes bryce.

4

c. 1300.  Thrush & Night., 28. Ne wes neuere bruche so strong I-broke with riȝte ne with wrong.

5

  b.  esp. Violation of chastity.

6

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 38. Wiðuten euerich bruche, mid ihol meidenhod and meidenes menske.

7

c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 13. Vre flesch … ȝif þat ha wit hire wiðute bruche cleane.

8

  2.  A fractured or injured part; a fissure or break; = BREACH sb. 7.

9

a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 1614. Þe bruchen of hire bodi, al tobroken of þe beatinge.

10

a. 1307.  in Rel. Antiq., II. 272. At the furmeste bruche that he fond He lep in and over he wond.

11