breaker n Cp OED ~ ¹ 15 'heavy ocean-wave which breaks violently into foam ... in passing over reefs or shallows'; cp SMYTH 130. A partially submerged rock over which seas 'break' or tumble heavily; freq in coastal names; cp SUNKER.
   1778 DE CASSINI 129 We suddenly perceived, at a small distance before us, the dashing of the waters, which could only be occasioned by the coast, or by rocks or breakers, which the fog concealed from our sight. 1887 Telegram Christmas No 4 On the northern side of the [Isle of Boys, Ferryland] are breakers and shoal waters, so that nothing except the smallest boat can enter, except through the narrows. 1913 Christmas Chimes 25 As the boat drifted on a breaker, 'Caplin Cove Rock,' he rose up, waved his hand as if in adieu. [1923] 1946 PRATT 201 "The Lee-Shore": 'But not tonight,' flashed the signal light / From the Cape that guarded the bay, / 'No, not to-night,' rang the foam where the white / Hard edge of the breakers lay. 1951 Nfld & Lab Pilot i, 318 The Breakers, rocky ledges which dry, extend a quarter of a mile offshore. 1953 ibid ii, 117 Rocky shoals extend 1 3/4 cables northward and southward of this island, the positions of which can best be seen on the chart, and which include on the southern side, a sunken rock, known as South-West breaker. T 58/61-64 I made Little Bay Islands that night and I also made that breaker! A breaker, you know, is a bad rock burstin'. We ran over the breaker, and she went up on a sea and she come down, and the whole bottom went out of her. 1971 NOSEWORTHY 177 -s. Submerged rocks with water breaking over them.

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