ˈice-ˌbreaker
[f. ice n. + breaker1.]
1. Anything that breaks up moving ice, so as to diminish its impact; spec. a structure protecting the upper end of a bridge-pier (cf. ice-apron).
| 1819 D. Thomas Trav. Western Country 247 Notwithstanding these precautions, and that of placing ice⁓breakers to the south, [the bridge] was only saved from destruction the ensuing winter by the intrepidity of..one of the proprietors. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. vii. 68 Three heavy hawsers out to the rocks of our little ice-breaker [an islet that turned the moving ice]. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. 1721/2 A view of the Swing Bridge..shows the..ice-breakers in the stream. |
2. a. A vessel specially adapted for breaking a channel through the ice: cf. ice-boat 2.
| 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. 1161/2 An ice-breaker for harbors is a steam-vessel provided with means for..keeping open a channel for ships. 1886 Times 9 Mar. 11/6 The Gothenburg icebreaker keeps the channel open. 1890 Daily News 23 Dec. 5/5 The Finnish Government has had an icebreaker constructed strong enough to force the severest of ice. |
b. transf. Cf. to break the ice (ice n. 2 b).
| 1883 ‘Mark Twain’ Life on Mississippi xxxix. 365 They closed up the inundation with a few words—having used it, evidently, as a mere ice-breaker and acquaintanceship-breeder—then they dropped into business. 1904 Daily Chron. 27 Feb. 4/6 If you must use an ice-breaker, the pianola is decidedly effective..as a cure for shyness. 1961 Bowman & Ball Theatre Lang. 178 Icebreaker, a fast song for chorus girls—Musical comedy. 1963 Barnard & Lauwerys Handbk. Brit. Educ. Terms 110 Icebreaker, a term used to describe a preliminary to a series of tests. It is designed to accustom the candidate to the experience which he is about to undergo, but its results are not counted in the ultimate assessment of the tests. 1963 M. McCarthy Group i. 19 The recipe was an icebreaker..everyone tasted it and agreed that it was the maple syrup that made all the difference. 1968 Daily Tel. 15 Nov. 16/7 Swearing, in addition to its cathartic effect and as a means of non-violent assault.., is also an ice-breaker. 1973 Sun-Herald (Sydney) 26 Aug. 80/3 Then they went on to ‘icebreakers’—short talks about themselves, reading a message they'd selected from a book. |
3. A machine or hand-tool for breaking ice for economic use.
| Mod. The ice-house with the ice-breaker to be worked by a gas-engine. |
4. A whaler's name for the Greenland whale.