breech

breech
noun Etymology: Middle English, breeches, from Old English brēc, plural of brōc leg covering; akin to Old High German bruoh breeches, Latin braca pants Date: before 12th century 1. plural 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

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Breech — Breech, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Breeched}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Breeching}.] 1. To put into, or clothe with, breeches. [1913 Webster] A great man . . . anxious to know whether the blacksmith s youngest boy was breeched. Macaulay. [1913 Webster] 2. To… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Breech — may refer to: *Breeches, certain types of trousers; this term is older than the derived meaning buttock of the word breech *In a breech loading weapon, the breech refers to the rear portion of the barrel which opens for ammunition loading, as… …   Wikipedia

  • breech — breech; breech·ing; breech·less; un·breech; …   English syllables

  • Breech — (br[=e]ch or br[i^]ch; 277), n. [See {Breeches}.] 1. The lower part of the body behind; the buttocks. [1913 Webster] 2. Breeches. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 3. The hinder part of anything; esp., the part of a cannon, or other firearm, behind the …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • breech — [brēch; ] for vt. 1 [ brich] n. [ME brech < OE brec, pl. of broc < IE base * bhreg : see BREAK] 1. the buttocks; rump 2. the lower or back part of a thing; specif., a) the lower end of a pulley block b) the back end of the barrel of a gun:… …   English World dictionary

  • breech — [bri:tʃ] n [: Old English; Origin: brec, plural of broc leg covering ] the part of a gun into which you put the bullets …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • breech — back part of a gun or firearm, 1570s, from sing. of BREECHES (Cf. breeches) (q.v.) …   Etymology dictionary

  • breech — ► NOUN ▪ the back part of a rifle or gun barrel. ORIGIN Old English, «garment covering the loins and thighs», later «the buttocks» …   English terms dictionary

  • breech — SYN: buttocks. [A.S. brec] * * * breech brēch n 1) the hind end of the body: BUTTOCKS 2) BREECH PRESENTATION also a fetus that is presented at the uterine cervix buttocks or legs first breech adv in the manner of a breech delivery or breech… …   Medical dictionary

  • breech — n. & v. n. 1 a the part of a cannon behind the bore. b the back part of a rifle or gun barrel. 2 archaic the buttocks. v.tr. archaic put (a boy) into breeches after being in petticoats since birth. Phrases and idioms: breech birth (or delivery)… …   Useful english dictionary

  • breech — n. /breech/; v. /breech, brich/, n. 1. the lower, rear part of the trunk of the body; buttocks. 2. the hinder or lower part of anything. 3. Ordn. the rear part of the bore of a gun, esp. the opening and associated mechanism that permits insertion …   Universalium

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