leg breaker

Noun

leg-breaker (plural leg-breakers)

1. (US, slang) A violent thug, especially one employed as an enforcer by a criminal organization (e.g., a mafia, a loan shark).
   • The thug was an acknowledged leg breaker, a shakedown artist, a peddler of violence.1974 September 4, Victor Riesel, “Mob money took Rebozo”, in Rome News-Tribune, US, retrieved 05 Jan 2009, page 4
2. A person whose job is to break the legs of poultry in a food processing facility.
   • For example, jobs described as meat wrapper or leg breaker would both be coded "butcher meat cutter."2000, M. McDiarmid et al., “Male and Female Rate Differences in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Injuries”, in Environmental Research, volume 83, number 1, page 28
3. A tackle or other on-field maneuver capable of breaking a player's leg.
   • Arca performed a similar stunt with a high over-the-top-of-the-ball tackle on Andy Johnson, except he connected. It is what is called a leg-breaker.2008 December 22, “Mailbox”, in football365.com, retrieved 05 Jan 2009
4. A demanding bicycling competition or the course on which such a competition is held.
   • Zoncolan is a fabled leg breaker of a 13.3km climb that is one of the toughest ascents ever included in a major stage race.2003 May 22, Tim Maloney, “First Edition News for May 22, 2003”, in cyclingnews.com, retrieved 05 Jan 2009
5. A cricketer who bowls leg breaks.
   • Armstrong is a leg-breaker, with eight fielders on the on-side. Probably he would do better if he bowled more at the wicket.1905, The Strand Magazine, page 703
6. A leg break ball.
   • Noble joined Wood, and the pair changed the aspect of affairs, 45 being up before a leg breaker from McGiverin proved too good for Noble's defense.1894 September 18, “Canadian Cricketers Lead”, in New York Times, retrieved 05 Jan 2009, page 3