breech

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: breach, beech, reech, bleech, creech, breece, brech

Antonyms: breach, beech, reech, bleech, creech, breece, brech

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. {{lb|en|historical|now only|_|in the plural|or|attributive}} A [[garment]] whose purpose is to cover or clothe the buttocks. {{defdate|from 11th c.}}
2. {{lb|en|now|_|rare}} The [[buttocks]] or [[backside]]. {{defdate|from 16th c.}}
3. {{lb|en|firearms}} The part of a cannon or other firearm behind the chamber. {{defdate|from 16th c.}}
4. {{lb|en|nautical}} The external angle of knee timber, the inside of which is called the throat.
5. {{lb|en|obstetrics}} A [[breech birth]].

Adverb

1. {{lb|en|obstetrics|of birth}} With the [[hip]]s coming out before the [[head]].

Adjective

1. {{lb|en|obstetrics}} Born, or having been born, [[#Adverb|breech]].

Verb

1. {{lb|en|dated|transitive}} To dress in [[breeches]]. {{qualifier|especially}} To dress a boy in breeches or trousers for the first time (the [[breeching]] ceremony).
2. {{lb|en|dated|transitive}} To [[beat]] or [[spank]] on the [[buttock]]s.
3. {{lb|en|transitive}} To fit or furnish with a breech.
4. {{lb|en|transitive}} To fasten with [[breeching]].
5. {{lb|en|poetic|transitive|obsolete}} To cover as if with [[breeches]].

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.