broke

Etymology 1

Ablauted form of break.

verb

1. simple past of break
2. (archaic, nonstandard or poetic) past participle of break
   Accordingly, he came with a mob the next day; and after they had broke all the windows... 1853, John Welsey, The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, Volume 7, page 261
   The horse was the grey stallion he aye rode, the very beast he had ridden for many a wager with the wild lads of the Cross Keys. No man but himself durst back it, and it had lamed many a hostler lad and broke two necks in its day. 1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide
   1999 October 3, J. Stewart Burns, "Mars University", Futurama, season 2, episode 2, Fox Broadcasting Company Guenther: I guess the hat must have broke my fall.

adj

1. (informal) Financially ruined, bankrupt.
   It seems some of his Creditors have taken notice of it, and he was like to be broke yesterday in his absence. 1665 July 6, Samuel Pepys, Vol. VI, p. 150
2. (informal) Without any money, penniless.
   dead broke; flat broke
3. (archaic, now informal) Broken.
   If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
   If the farmer is seriously injured by the depressed state of the markets, his spirit is broke, and there must ensue a very general discredit with regard to the farming business; 1822, William Wolryche Whitmore, A Letter on the Present State and Future Prospects of Agriculture, page 53
   I can't get used to living here / While my heart is broke, my tears I cry for you 1973, “Photograph”, in Ringo, performed by Ringo Starr
   Watkins notified the shop foreman immediately, whereupon the car was inspected and found to have a broke axle. 1983, Chicago Transit Authority, CTA Transit News, volume 36, page 8
   A broke horse tries to do anything I want, and that is expected of any horse. 2011, Mike Major, Fran Devereux Smith, Ranch-Horse Versatility: A Winner's Guide to Successful Rides
4. (nautical) Demoted, deprived of a commission.
   He was broke and rendered unfit to serve His Majesty at sea.

Etymology 2

From Middle English broce, from Old English gebroc (“fragment”), from brecan (“to break”). Compare broken, past participle of break. Compare also Scots brock (“a scrap of meat or bread”).

noun

1. (papermaking) Paper or board that is discarded and repulped during the manufacturing process.
   If the broke accumulates, a larger proportion can be used in making coloured papers, otherwise the above quantity is sufiicient. 1880, James Dunbar, The Practical Papermaker: A Complete Guide to the Manufacture of Paper, page 12
   Presumably, most of the brokes and waste were used up in this manner, and during the manufacture of the coarse stuff little or no attention was paid to either cleanliness or colour. 1914, The World's Paper Trade Review Volume 62, page 204
   These mills purchase broke from other paper mills through middlemen and use it to make paper. September 25 2014, Judge Diane Wood, NCR Corp. v. George A. Whiting Paper Co.
2. (obsolete) A fragment, remains, a piece broken off.
   Why dost though linger, then, / To hear the flatteries of these men of rags? / These bankrupt beggar-men, / Whose riches are the broke meat in their bags? 1855, January Searle, Poems, page 4

Etymology 3

Back-formation from broker.

verb

1. To act as a broker">broker; to transact business for another; synonym of broker">broker.
   agents broking with various other carriers can offer additional options
   The only evidence of bill-broking is, that he has often been a party to bills of exchange 1837, Comprising Reports of Cases in the Courts of Chancery[…]
   […]because the Spanish equity market was substantially over-broked even at the height of its bull market, with over 50 brokers servicing the market. 1992, Philippe Moore, The 1992 guide to European equity markets
2. (obsolete) To act as procurer in love matters; to pimp.
   But we do want a certain necessary / Woman, to broke between them CUPID said; 1655 [1572], Luís de Camões, translated by Richard Fanshawe, The Lusiad, translation of original in Portuguese, Canto IX, stanza 44

Etymology 4

Clipping of broke off.

adj

1. (slang) Broke off, rich, wealthy