This is the 2614th most frequent Japanese word.
折れ
"折れ" means "break" or "fold" in English, referring to something that has broken or bent.
Here, '折れて' is used to signify that the branch broke or snapped into two because of external force.
その枝が風で折れてしまった。
That branch broke due to the wind.
In this sentence, '折れ' metaphorically describes the breaking or yielding of someone's will or resolve.
彼の意志は困難に直面しても折れなかった。
His will did not break even when facing difficulties.
The term '折る' is used to suggest bending or manipulating the wire physically into a different shape.