Wiktionary:Word of the day/2024/October 10

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breakdown n

(countable) A failure, particularly one which is mechanical in nature. (physics, uncountable) The sudden (and usually damaging) transition of an electrical insulator to a conductor when subjected to a sufficiently strong voltage, caused by the partial or complete ionization of the insulator; (countable) an instance of this; also, the minimum voltage at which this occurs. (countable) Something, such as a vehicle, that has experienced a mechanical failure. (uncountable) Separation of a thing into components; decomposition, fragmentation; (countable) an instance of this. (uncountable) Detailed categorization, or itemization or listing, of the components of a thing; (countable) an instance of this. (chemistry, uncountable) Breaking of chemical bonds within a compound to produce simpler compounds or elements; (countable) an instance of this. (film, television, countable) A detailed description of a forthcoming project or screenplay which identifies all the required elements, such as the cast, costumes, equipment, props, and special effects. (figurative) (countable) A failure in a relationship; a failure or loss of organization in a system. (uncountable) (Sudden) worsening of physical health or (more commonly) mental stability, resulting in an inability to carry on normal activities; (countable) an instance of this. (veterinary medicine, uncountable) Injury to a horse's leg causing lameness; (countable) an instance of this. (originally and chiefly New Zealand, countable, chiefly attributive) An act of splitting logs of wood using a large saw in a sawmill; also, the saw used; or (rare) the building in which the process is carried out. (music, countable) A part of a piece of music or a song which differs from the other parts in that it features improvisation or is stripped down (for example, played by fewer instruments or a solo performer). Synonym of percussion break (“a percussion-focused segment of a song, chosen by a hip-hop DJ to manipulate through cutting, mixing, and other techniques in order to create rhythmic music”) (chiefly Southern US, countable) (dance, dated) A noisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in competitively by a number of individuals or pairs in succession, common among African-Americans from the Southern United States; also, a lively event, chiefly in a rural setting, at which such dancing is done; a hoedown, a shindig. (music) A piece of music played for such a dance, especially a rapid bluegrass tune featuring a five-string banjo. (obsolete, countable) An act of a structure or other thing breaking and collapsing. Today is World Mental Health Day, which is recognized by the United Nations to promote awareness about mental health and to advocate against the stigmatization of people experiencing mental health issues.

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