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Definition of “breeches” | Collins English Dictionary
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Definitions of breeches

breeches (ˈbrɪtʃɪz ; ˈbriː-) 

Definitions

plural noun

  1. trousers extending to the knee or just below, worn for riding, mountaineering, etc
  2. (informal ( or dialect) any trousers

  3. See too big for one's breeches

breech

Definitions

noun

 (briːtʃ ) 
  1. the lower dorsal part of the human trunk; buttocks; rump
  2. the lower part or bottom of something   ⇒  ■ the breech of the bridge
  3. the lower portion of a pulley block, esp the part to which the rope or chain is secured
  4. the part of a firearm behind the barrel or bore
  5. (obstetrics) short for breech delivery

▷ 

verb

 (briːtʃ ; brɪtʃ )  (transitive)
  1. to fit (a gun) with a breech
  2. (archaic) to clothe in breeches or any other clothing
USAGE Breech is sometimes wrongly used as a verb where breach is meant: the barrier/agreement was breached (not breeched)

Word Origin

Old English brēc, plural of brōc leg covering; related to Old Norse brōk, Old High German bruoh

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= buttocks, behind (informal), seat, tail (informal), butt (US) ( & Canadian) (informal), bum (British) (slang), ass (US) ( & Canadian) (taboo) (slang), buns (US) (slang), arse (taboo) (slang), backside (informal), rump, posterior, derrière (euphemistic), tush (US) (slang), fundament, jacksy (British) (slang)

Example Sentences Including 'breeches'

If he tried to ride two horses simultaneously much longer his breeches would be bound to split.
Townsend, Eileen In Love and War
I thought myself lucky to have escaped him with my breeches still adorning my legs.
Heller, Keith Man's Loving Family
I am afraid it will burn my breeches , in its desire for a hole.
Various Looking For the Spark

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