breech n : opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded [syn: rear of barrel, rear of tube]

English

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːtʃ

Homophones

• breach

Noun

1. The lower part of the body behind; the buttocks.
2. A reference to a view of or visual aspect of the buttocks or rear lower body below the waist, from which meaning is derived the term breech birth, the word in this case apparently referring to the obvious cleavage between the buttocks .
3. A garment whose purpose is to cover or clothe the buttocks, such as early 18th century undergarments.
4. breeches
5. The hinder part of anything; esp., the part of a cannon, or other firearm, behind the chamber.
6. Nautical: The external angle of knee timber, the inside of which is called the throat
7. A breech birth.

Derived terms

• breech birth

Adverb

breech

1. With the hips coming out before the head.

Adjective

breech

1. Born, or having been born, breech.

See also

• breeches

Breech may refer to:

• Breeches, certain types of trousers; this term is older than the derived meaning 'buttock' of the word breech
• In a breech-loading weapon, the breech refers to the rear portion of the barrel which opens for ammunition loading, as well as the system used to load the round.
• Buttocks, the lower part of the human abdomen
• A breech birth
• The lower part of a pulley block
• The penetration of a boiler where exhaust gases leave it

• "Breeching" was when small boys were put in trousers rather than dresses, at about the age of six.

See also

• Breach

afterpart, afterpiece, back, back door, back seat, back side, backside, bed, bedrock, behind, belly, bottom, bottom side, buttocks, derriere, downside, fanny, fundament, hardpan, heel, hind end, hind part, hindhead, lower side, lowest layer, lowest level, nether side, nethermost level, occiput, posterior, postern, rear, rear end, rearward, reverse, rock bottom, rump, stern, substratum, tail, tail end, tailpiece, underbelly, underlayer, underneath, underside