Breach
in law, any violation of a law, or the non-performance of a duty imposed by law. Breaches are of various kinds:
1. Breach of close, i. e., of what is inclosed in fact or in the eye of the law. The entry into another man's land. (Blackstone's "Commentaries," bk. iii., ch. xii.) 2. Breach of covenant. - The violation of a written agreement. (Blackstone's "Commentaries," bk. iii., ch. ix.) 3. Breach of duty. - Violation of the duty incumbent upon one rightly to discharge the functions imposed upon him by the office or trust which he holds. (Blackstone's "Commentaries," bk. iii., ch. ix.) 4. Breach of the peace. - Offenses BREAD against the public, involving personal violation of the peace, or incitement or provocation to others to do so. (Blackstone's "Commentaries," bk. iv., ch. xi.) 5. Breach of pound. -The act of breaking into a pound, or any similar place, to rescue one's cattle or other property there inclosed. (Blackstone's "Commentaries," bk. iii., ch. ix.) 6. Breach of prison-Escape of a prisoner from prison by breaking the building or in any other way. (Blackstone's "Commentaries," bk. iv., ch. x.) 7. Breach of promise. - (a) General.- Violation of one's pledged word, especially if the promise be written down. (b) Special. Breach of promise of marriage. An action lies for it on the part of either man or woman, though, as a rule, only the latter is believed to be substantially injured or deserve damages. 8. Breach of trust. The violation of one's duty as trustee, or anything similar.