Dictionary

greenbroke en · ADJ

Etymology

From green + broke.

Meanings

1. (of a horse or pack animal) Newly tamed; not fully domesticated for all forms of working.
   • We'll add a greenbroke pack animal and you can break him on the trail. 2001, Richard S. Wheeler, Going Home:
   • Maggie dashed away the tear tracks on her cheeks. “Thank you, Mr. Potts. I believe I' ll take you up on your offer as my colt is only greenbroke, and the only other horse I know how to ride is gone—pulling our cart . 1995, Katharine Kincaid, Ride the Wind, page 364:
   • Just halfway decent greenbroke horses. Say six saddles. Double and stop and stand still to be saddled. 1992, Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses, →ISBN, page 103:
   • This is readily seen in the greenbroke horse that has yet to build full confidence in its rider. I have frequently observed the enhanced performance of the greenbroke horse when it is allowed to train or exercise in the company of others, whether that horse is familiar with its company or not. 1998, Joy Roberts, The Joy of Horses, page 28:
2. (broadly) Somewhat wild or inexperienced; not completely socialized or comfortable with an activity.
   • Here the women are barely greenbroke , the men handsome charismatic cheats ; even the ghosts compel us to listen hard to their too-late wisdom . 1994, Jonis Agee, Strange Angels:
   • He writes: "To my daughter Caroline, a greenbroke five-year-old, who despite the occasional need of a heavy hand gives promise of an eventual good, if spirited performance.” 1943, 132, Wilson library bulletin - Volume 18, page 132:
   • I'm twenty-three years old, and I'm not even green-broke yet. 2009, Catherine Anderson, Early Dawn:

Forms