icebreaker

views updated May 29 2018

ice·break·er / ˈīsˌbrākər/ • n. a ship designed for breaking a channel through ice. ∎  a thing that serves to relieve inhibitions or tension between people, or start a conversation. ∎  a thing that breaks up moving ice so as to lessen its impact, esp. a structure protecting the upstream end of a bridge pier.

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