Is "taking a break" really just a cowardly way of breaking up with someone?

I really think it depends on the situation. Sometimes people have to deal with issues or problems before they can really be in a healthy relationship. Sometimes you need a break to work on your self and then you can look at the relationship with a clearer head and move on from there. I've seen relationships where this strengthened the relationship and I've seen relationships that never recovered. But in those relationships where the break was a prelude to the end and the individuals used the break to work on themselves they were able to walk away knowing it was for the best. And I also have seen people use the idea of a break as trying to let someone down easy and I thought it was cowardly and that it ended up causing more pain not less.

Depends on the number of people you consider having sex with in the break between. Thus for men, it is usually a break up.

It really depends, I think a "break" means the person needs to sort out their thoughts and feelings. They usually come to the conclusion that the realtionship isn't right for them, but they need some space to find that out.

I've seen people who take a break just to clear their heads because things moved a bit faster than they expected.

In all honestly, it depends on the circumstance in my opinion. I have never personally been on a"break" but I have seen it go both ways with friends. Some took a break because they were studying abroad or moving and wanted to see how things went or just to re-evaluate the relationship. Others it has been a "test" if you will to see if they can make it apart before actually breaking up. I have seen couples get back together after a break.