breech

breech

noun \ˈbrēch\

Definition of BREECH

1

plural \ˈbri-chəz also ˈbrē-\

a : short pants covering the hips and thighs and fitting snugly at the lower edges at or just below the knee

b : pants

2

a : the hind end of the body : buttocks

b : breech presentation; also : a fetus that is presented breech first

3

: the part of a firearm at the rear of the barrel

Examples of BREECH

1. <plant yourselves on your breeches on that bench and listen to what I have to say>
2. <the mounted riders look striking in their red coats and white breeches>

Origin of BREECH

Middle English, breeches, from Old English brēc, plural of brōc leg covering; akin to Old High German bruoh breeches, Latin braca pants

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BREECH

Synonyms

backside, behind, booty (also bootie) [slang], bottom, buttocks, bum, buns, butt, caboose, can, cheeks, derriere (or derrière), duff, fanny, fundament, hams, haunches, heinie [slang], hunkers, keister (also keester) [slang], nates, posterior, rear, rear end, rump, seat, tail, tail end, tush [slang]

Related Words

beam, stern; moon [slang]

Other Weapons and Explosives Terms

automatic, carbine, cudgel, muzzle, rapier

Rhymes with BREECH

beach, beech, bleach, breach, each, leach, leech, peach, pleach, preach, reach, screech, speech, teach