knee breeches

plural noun

1. breeches ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of knee breeches¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

There were men dressed in colonial garb complete with knee-breeches and powdered wigs.

From The Daily Beast

He still wore knee-breeches and dark cotton stockings on his nether limbs, but they were not the breeches.

From Project Gutenberg

Burns wore white knee-breeches, military boots, a splendid waistcoat with lace ruffles, and carried a cocked hat.

From Project Gutenberg

His knee-breeches were of the finest gray linen, with gray satin bows and silver buckles at the knee bands.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the young Prince Imperial, who was killed in Africa a dozen years ago, but is shown here as a mere child in knee breeches.

From Project Gutenberg

Then you never looked as if you belonged to the ship, so long as those cursed black knee-breeches lasted!

From Project Gutenberg