Knee breeches

Knee breeches
Breeches Breech"es (br[i^]ch"[e^]z), n. pl. [OE. brech, brek, AS. br[=e]k, pl. of br[=o]c breech, breeches; akin to Icel. br[=o]k breeches, ODan. brog, D. broek, G. bruch; cf. L. bracae, braccae, which is of Celtic origin. Cf. {Brail}.] 1. A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs; smallclothes. [1913 Webster]

His jacket was red, and his breeches were blue. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

2. Trousers; pantaloons. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

{Breeches buoy}, in the life-saving service, a pair of canvas breeches depending from an annular or beltlike life buoy which is usually of cork. This contrivance, inclosing the person to be rescued, is hung by short ropes from a block which runs upon the hawser stretched from the ship to the shore, and is drawn to land by hauling lines.

{Breeches pipe}, a forked pipe forming two branches united at one end.

{Knee breeches}, breeches coming to the knee, and buckled or fastened there; smallclothes.

{To wear the breeches}, to usurp the authority of the husband; -- said of a wife. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Knee breeches — Knee Knee (n[=e]), n. [OE. kne, cneo, As. cne[ o], cne[ o]w; akin to OS. knio, kneo, OFries. kn[=i], G. & D. knie, OHG. chniu, chneo, Icel. kn[=e], Sw. kn[ a], Dan. kn[ae], Goth. kniu, L. genu, Gr. go ny, Skr. j[=a]nu, [root]231. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • knee-breeches — kneeˈ breeches plural noun Breeches extending to just below the knee • • • Main Entry: ↑knee …   Useful english dictionary

  • knee breeches — n. BREECHES (sense 1) …   English World dictionary

  • knee breeches — knee .breeches n [plural] tight trousers that end at your knee, worn especially in the past …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • knee breeches — knee ,breeches noun plural pants that cover only as far down as your knees, worn by men in the past …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • knee breeches — knee′ breech es n. pl. clo breeches 1) • Etymology: 1825–35 …   From formal English to slang

  • knee breeches — breeches (def. 1). [1825 35] * * * …   Universalium

  • knee breeches — noun trousers ending above the knee • Syn: ↑breeches, ↑knee pants, ↑knickerbockers, ↑knickers • Usage Domain: ↑plural, ↑plural form • Hypernyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • knee breeches — /ˈni brɪtʃəz/ (say nee brichuhz) plural noun breeches reaching to or just below the knee …  

  • knee breeches — plural noun historical short trousers fastened at or just below the knee …   English new terms dictionary

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