cracked

Cracked is the past participle of the verb crack and functions as both an adjective and a verb form in English. The basic sense is broken or split, often with a visible line or fracture, but it can also describe damage that does not completely destroy an object. The word originates from the verb crack, with roots in older Germanic languages.

Literal usage includes cracked eggs, cracked glass, cracked concrete, or cracked shells. Figurative uses include a cracked voice from singing or shouting, a cracked joke meaning one that is funny but not polished, or the phrase cracked under pressure to describe someone who yields to stress. In geology and materials science, cracks are studied as flaws that affect strength and failure.

In computing and digital media, "cracked" is widely used to describe software whose licensing or copy protection has been bypassed, as well as illicitly shared executable files. Distributing or using cracked software is illegal in many places and can expose users to malware or instability. Many jurisdictions protect intellectual property, and legitimate alternatives include licensed software, freeware, and open-source options.

In popular culture, "Cracked" appears as a brand name for various media properties, such as humor magazines and online outlets, and as a general descriptor in titles referring to flaws or breaks.

Overall, cracked conveys a state of partial damage or breach and is used in literal, figurative, and cultural contexts.