breeches
[ brich-iz, bree-chiz ]
/ ˈbrɪtʃ ɪz, ˈbri tʃɪz /
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noun (used with a plural verb)
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.
Informal. trousers.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Idioms for breeches
too big for one's breeches, asserting oneself beyond one's authority or ability.
Origin of breeches
1125–75; Middle English, plural of breech
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH breeches
breeches , britchesWords nearby breeches
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for breeches
British Dictionary definitions for breeches
breeches
/ (ˈbrɪtʃɪz, ˈbriː-) /
pl n
trousers extending to the knee or just below, worn for riding, mountaineering, etc
informal, or dialect any trousers
too big for one's breeches conceited; unduly self-confident
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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