What are split ends and what does hair ';breakage'; mean?

I hear hair stylists and other people saying if you do ';this'; or ';that'; too much, you'll get split ends. Well, what are they? And what is hair breakage?What are split ends and what does hair ';breakage'; mean?
Split ends are when the hair splits on the bottom of the hair in two pieces like a piece of paper. Breakage is when your hair breaks off. Breakage happens at ANY length. And happens to split ends. The split will continue up the hair strand, eventually weakening and breaking off. The only way to get rid of Split ends and breakage is a trim. Because like I said, It's like a piece of paper. One it's ripped in half, You can't put it back together.