with obj.
1- break (ore, rock, or stone) into smaller pieces, especially in preparation for sorting击碎（矿石, 岩石, 石块）。
1.1
- no obj.(of ore, rock, or stone) break off in fragments（矿石, 岩石, 石块）裂成碎片：
cracks below the surface cause slabs of material to spall off.
表面下的裂缝导致石板碎裂剥落。
- a splinter or chip, especially of rock裂片; 碎片（尤指碎石）。
词源
late Middle English (as a noun)： of unknown origin. The verb dates from the mid 18th cent.