Black's Law Dictionary (2nd edition)dictionaries

Breaking

Forcibly separating, parting, disintegrating, or piercing any solid substance. In the law as to housebreaking and burglary, it means the tearing away or removal of any part of a house or of the locks, latches, or other fastenings intended to secure it, or otherwise exerting force to gain an en-trance, with the intent to commit a felony; or violently or forcibly breaking out of a house, after having unlawfully entered lt, in the attempt to escape. Gaddie v. Com., 117 Ky. 468, 78 S. W. 163, 111 Am. St Rep. 259; Sims v. State, 136 Ind. 358, 36 N. E. 278; Melton v. State, 24 Tex. App. 287, 6 S. W. 303; Mathews v. State, 36 Tex. 675; Carter v. State, 68 Ala. 98; State v. Newbegin, 25 Me. 503; McCourt v. People, 64 N. ¥. 585

Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)