1
general::
Dawn, early morning, as in We'll leave at break of day, as soon as it's light, or I feel as though I've been working since the break of day. This term uses break in the sense "burst out of darkness." [First half of 1500s] A synonym from the same period is the noun daybreak. break off 1. Stop abruptly, as in The trade talks broke off yesterday. [First half of 1300s] 2. Separate, sever a connection, as in The baby broke off the tops of all the flowers, or The new sect has broken off from the established church. [First half of 1500s] 3. End a relationship or friendship, as in Mary broke off her engagement to Rob. [Mid-1600s]
American Heritage Idioms