The original meaning of the character 斷, duàn, is very clear in the seal script where the left part of the character graphically depicts silk threads being cut in half, while the right part is the symbol for ax or hatchet. Just as indicated by the composition of the character, it literally meant to cut things in half with an axe.
Though the original meaning of the character remains, it also has extended uses and meanings as other parts of speech. It can mean to stop or to pause, used for example in 中斷 (zhōng duàn), break off, discontinue, or interrupt and 斷粮 (duàn liáng), which means to run out of food.
As a verb, 斷 can have a more abstract meaning such as in to decide or to make a judgment. For instance, 斷案 (duàn àn), to judge a case, or 决斷 (jué duàn), to make a decision or resolve [to do something].
As an adjective, the character 斷 means something is broken, like in 斷箭 (duàn jiàn), broken arrow. The character is also sometimes used as adverb, such as in 斷不能信, (duàn bù néng xìn), meaning absolutely unbelievable, or in 斷無消息 (duàn wú xiāo xi) no news at all.
