breech

[ noun breech; verb 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, especially 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)

1. Ordnance. to fit or furnish (a gun) with a breech.
2. to clothe with breeches.

breech

noun

1. the lower dorsal part of the human trunk; buttocks; rump
2. the lower part or bottom of something

   the breech of the bridge

3. the lower portion of a pulley block, esp the part to which the rope or chain is secured
4. the part of a firearm behind the barrel or bore
5. obstetrics short for breech delivery

verb

1. to fit (a gun) with a breech
2. archaic.
   to clothe in breeches or any other clothing

Usage

Breech is sometimes wrongly used as a verb where breach is meant: the barrier/agreement was breached (not breeched )

Other Words From

• un·breeched adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of breech¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English breeche, Old English brēc, plural of brōc; cognate with Old Norse brōk, Old High German bruoh

Word History and Origins

Origin of breech¹

Old English brēc , plural of brōc leg covering; related to Old Norse brōk , Old High German bruoh

Example Sentences

In a police report reviewed by The Times, the patient described going to a gynecologist in 2020 to have him “flip” a breech baby.

From Los Angeles Times

But the court heard that despite a 31-week scan recording the baby as completely breech, three subsequent midwife examinations recorded it as being in a head down, cephalic position.

From BBC

A mother has been reunited with the medics dispatched to her home when she started to deliver her breech baby.

From BBC

The baby was breech, which upped the anguish and the risk during delivery.

From Los Angeles Times

He said he had just discharged a woman who had arrived with a breech birth after spending hours at a checkpoint controlled by the paramilitary forces, who were interrogating her husband.

From New York Times

Related Words

• rear
• seat
• tail