Breakdown
/ˈbreɪk.daʊn/noun
A failure or collapse of a system, mechanism, or process.
Did you know?In ancient alchemy, a breakdown often symbolized the necessary destruction before rebirth, echoing the cycle of death and regeneration.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
Old English
brecan
“to shatter or break apart.”
Middle English
Middle English
breken
“to cause to break, destroy.”
Late 19th Century
English
breakdown
“a term for the collapse of a system or emotional state.”
20th Century
English
breakdown
“more widely used in psychological contexts to denote mental collapse.”