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

“Pre-cise-ly!” was the answer; “and, ‘comme cela,’ she charmed my English gold out of my British breeches’ pocket.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

When we had passed through it he carefully locked it and dropped the key into his breeches' pocket.

From A Bid for Fortune or Dr. Nikola's Vendetta by Boothby, Guy

For he could very well study the state of St. Luna's commerce in the little great-adventure-trade of the schoolmaster, who knew no smaller merchants' exchange than the one in his breeches' pocket.

From Hesperus or Forty-Five Dog-Post-Days Vol. I. A Biography by Jean Paul

There are but few of them in the United States, in whose breeches' pockets may not be found, at any hour of the day, at least a dozen of those gods.

From Popery! As it Was and as it Is Also, Auricular Confession; And Popish Nunneries by Hogan, William

He dived into his breeches' pockets, gave every German of the troupe five shillings apiece, and then sat down on a coil of rope and blubbered aloud like a baby.

From Capt'n Davy's Honeymoon by Caine, Hall, Sir

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