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breech

 - 5 dictionary results

breech

  [n. breech; v. breech, brich]
–noun
1. the lower, rear part of the trunk of the body; buttocks.
2. the hinder or lower part of anything.
3. Ordnance. the rear part of the bore of a gun, esp. the opening and associated mechanism that permits insertion of a projectile.
4. Machinery. the end of a block or pulley farthest from the supporting hook or eye.
5. Nautical. the outside angle of a knee in the frame of a ship.
–verb (used with object)
6. Ordnance. to fit or furnish (a gun) with a breech.
7. to clothe with breeches.
Use breech in a Sentence
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME breeche, OE brēc, pl. of brōc; c. ON brōk, OHG bruoh
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To breech
breech   (brēch)   
n.  

  1. The lower rear portion of the human trunk; the buttocks.

    1. A breech presentation or delivery.

    2. A fetus in breech presentation.

    3. Knee breeches.

    4. Informal Trousers.

  3. breeches

    1. Knee breeches.

    2. Informal Trousers.

  4. The part of a firearm behind the barrel.

  5. The lower part of a pulley block.


[Middle English brech, from Old English brēc, pl. of brōc, leg covering, Gaulish brāca, hose, trousers.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 1breech
Pronunciation: 'brEch
Function: noun
1 : the hind end of the body : BUTTOCKS
2 : BREECHPRESENTATION; also : a fetus that is presented breech first

Main Entry: 2breech
Function: adverb
: in the manner of a breech delivery or breech presentation breech —LauraCunningham> breech —Jayne Anne Phillips>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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breech (brēch)
n.
The lower rear portion of the human trunk; the buttocks.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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