BREECH ACTION
Breech action.
Defn: The breech mechanism in breech-loading small arms and certain special guns, as automatic and machine guns; —used frequently in referring to the method by which the movable barrels of breech- loading shotguns are locked, unlocked, or rotated to loading position.
BREECHBLOCK
Breech"block, n.
Defn: The movable piece which closes the breech of a breech-loading firearm, and resists the backward force of the discharge. It is withdrawn for the insertion of a cartridge, and closed again before the gun is fired.
BREECHCLOTH
Breech"cloth`, n.
Defn: A cloth worn around the breech.
BREECHES
Breech"es, n. pl. Etym: [OE. brech, brek, AS. brek, pl. of broc
breech, breeches; akin to Icel. brok breeches, ODan. brog, D. broek,
G. bruch; cf. L. bracae, braccae, which is of Celtic origin. Cf.
Brail.]
1. A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs; smallclothes. His jacket was red, and his breeches were blue. Coleridge.
2. Trousers; pantaloons. [Colloq.] Breeches buoy, in the life-saving service, a pair of canvas breeches depending from an annular or beltlike life buoy which is usually of cork. This contrivance, inclosing the person to be rescued, is hung by short ropes from a block which runs upon the hawser stretched from the ship to the shore, and is drawn to land by hauling lines. — Breeches pipe, a forked pipe forming two branches united at one end. — Knee breeches, breeches coming to the knee, and buckled or fastened there; smallclothes. — To wear the breeches, to usurp the authority of the husband; — said of a wife. [Colloq.]
BREECHING
Breech"ing, n.