breeches

American  

[brich-iz, bree-chiz] / ˈbrɪtʃ ɪz, ˈbri tʃɪz /

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Also called knee breeches.  knee-length trousers, often having ornamental buckles or elaborate decoration at or near the bottoms, commonly worn by men and boys in the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries.

2. riding breeches.

3. Informal. trousers.

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idioms

1. too big for one's breeches, asserting oneself beyond one's authority or ability.

breeches British  

/ ˈbriː-, ˈbrɪtʃɪz /

plural noun

1. trousers extending to the knee or just below, worn for riding, mountaineering, etc

2. informal any trousers

3. conceited; unduly self-confident

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Etymology

Origin of breeches

1125–75; Middle English, plural of breech

Explanation

Breeches are an old-fashioned kind of short pants that end at the knee. These days, you're most likely to wear breeches if you ride horses (or if you like to dress up in 18th-century clothes). Riding breeches are designed to make horseback riders comfortable and streamlined. They're snug-fitting and usually meant to be worn with tall riding boots. Fencers wear a similar type of breeches as part of their uniform. From the 16th to the 19th century, breeches were ordinary adult men's clothing, sometimes also called britches.

Example Sentences

An addition to the book’s cover, which Mr. Bangs said was most likely made in the 19th century, reads “Holy Bible —- Breeches Edition.”

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2019

The 1615 Breeches Edition Bible was traced to the American Pilgrim Museum in Leiden, Netherlands, which had purchased it for $1,200.

From Fox News • Apr. 26, 2019

Yellow Breeches recently bought 15 bulletproof vests — three for each of its five rigs — for $3,000, with help from a $1,000 Walmart grant, Weidner said.

From Washington Times • Jan. 20, 2018

Kayakers see the bottom of that bridge as they glide by on the scenic Yellow Breeches Creek.

From Reuters • Jul. 21, 2014

Yesterday, at the Bidding of Capt. Draper, I took Prince to spend his small Sum for Enlistment on a new Shirt and Breeches.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson

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