dē-fringo, frēgi, fractum, 3, v. a., to break off; to break to pieces (rare but class.).
- I. Lit.: amphoram defracto collo puram impleto, Cato R. R. 88: plantas, Varr. R. R. 1, 40, 4; cf. Verg. G. 2, 300: ramum arboris, Cic. Caecin. 21, 60: surculum, id. de Or. 3, 28, 110: ferrum summā ab hasta, Verg. A. 11, 748: crura aut cervices sibi, Plaut. Mil. 3, 1, 126; so, lumbos, id. Stich. 1, 3, 37: caput ei testatim, Juventius ap. Charis. p. 196 P.; cf.: caput ei hoc patibulo, Titin. ap. Non. 366, 18.
- II. Trop.: id unum bonum est, quod numquam defringitur, is never destroyed, Sen. Ep. 92; Apul. Flor. 3, p. 355, 2.