'Broken ground' definitions:

Definition of 'Broken ground'

From: GCIDE

Broken \Bro"ken\ (br[=o]"k'n), a. [From Break, v. t.]
1. Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish. [1913 Webster]
2. Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a broken surface. [1913 Webster]
3. Fractured; cracked; disunited; sundered; strained; apart; as, a broken reed; broken friendship. [1913 Webster]
4. Made infirm or weak, by disease, age, or hardships. [1913 Webster]
The one being who remembered him as he been before his mind was broken. --G. Eliot. [1913 Webster]
The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay, Sat by his fire, and talked the night away. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]
5. Subdued; humbled; contrite. [1913 Webster]
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. --Ps. li. 17. [1913 Webster]
6. Subjugated; trained for use, as a horse. [1913 Webster]
7. Crushed and ruined as by something that destroys hope; blighted. "Her broken love and life." --G. Eliot. [1913 Webster]
8. Not carried into effect; not adhered to; violated; as, a broken promise, vow, or contract; a broken law. [1913 Webster]
9. Ruined financially; incapable of redeeming promises made, or of paying debts incurred; as, a broken bank; a broken tradesman. [1913 Webster]
10. Imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner; as, broken English; imperfectly spoken on account of emotion; as, to say a few broken words at parting. [1913 Webster]
Amidst the broken words and loud weeping of those grave senators. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
Broken ground. (a) (Mil.) Rough or uneven ground; as, the troops were retarded in their advance by broken ground. (b) Ground recently opened with the plow.
Broken line (Geom.), the straight lines which join a number of given points taken in some specified order.
Broken meat, fragments of meat or other food.
Broken number, a fraction.
Broken weather, unsettled weather. [1913 Webster]