n. [ L. ruptura, fr. rumpere, ruptum to break: cf. F. rupture. See Reave, and cf. Rout a defeat. ] 1. The act of breaking apart, or separating; the state of being broken asunder; as, the rupture of the skin; the rupture of a vessel or fiber; the rupture of a lutestring. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hatch from the egg, that soon,
Bursting with kindly rupture, forth disclosed
Their callow young. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Breach of peace or concord between individuals; open hostility or war between nations; interruption of friendly relations; as, the parties came to a rupture. [ 1913 Webster ]

He knew that policy would disincline Napoleon from a rupture with his family. E. Everett. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Med.) Hernia. See Hernia. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A bursting open, as of a steam boiler, in a less sudden manner than by explosion. See Explosion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Modulus of rupture. (Engin.) See under Modulus. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Fracture; breach; break; burst; disruption; dissolution. See Fracture. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Ruptured p. pr. & vb. n. Rupturing. ] 1. To part by violence; to break; to burst; as, to rupture a blood vessel. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To produce a hernia in. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To suffer a breach or disruption. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Med.) Having a rupture, or hernia. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) (a) Same as Burstwort. (b) A West Indian plant (Alternanthera polygonoides) somewhat resembling burstwort. [ 1913 Webster ]