brake
n. countablen. the part of a vehicle or machine that makes it slow down or stop. You usually press it with your foot or pull it with your hand.
n. a device for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle or mechanism, typically by applying pressure to a friction surface.
She pressed the brake to stop the car at the red light.
The cyclist had to replace his worn-out brake pads after a long summer of riding in the mountains.
Modern automotive safety systems often include emergency assist features that apply the brake automatically if sensors detect an imminent collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian.
Origin uncertain; possibly from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German brake (“nose ring, curb, flax brake”), which according to Watkins is related to sense 4 and from Proto-Germanic *brekaną (“to break”).
Apparently a shortened form of bracken. (Compare chick, chicken.)
From Old English bracu, attested in a plural compound form fearnbraca (“thickets of fern”), probably from Proto-Germanic brekaną (“to break”) and influenced by sense 2 (“fern”). Compare Middle Low German brake (“stump, branch”).
Late Middle English, from Middle Low German brake, Dutch braak, Old Dutch braeke; possibly related to sense 1.
Uncertain.
Inflected forms.
The car's break failed.The car's brake failed.Learners often confuse the noun 'brake' (stopping device) with the verb or noun 'break' (to fracture or a pause).