Breeching

Definitions

1. The ceremony of dressing a boy in trousers for the first time.
   countable, historical, uncountable
2. A conduit through which exhaust gases are conducted to a chimney.
   countable, uncountable
3. A rope used to secure a cannon.
   countable, uncountable
4. A component of horse harness or tack, enabling the horse to hold back a vehicle.
   countable, uncountable
5. A beating or flogging.
   countable, slang, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“When boys left off skirts at about six or seven to put⟳ on breeches this was an occasion of minor ceremony which marked the next stage⟳ of growing up. By the 18th century breeching was taking place⟳ earlier, when a boy was three or four.”

“The great guns ranged along the deck — each bound fast by its new breechings — with their linstocks and sponges and ladles and rammers, made no idle show⟳ of warlike strength.”

“Beside this, he has to learn⟳ to wear⟳ a collar, a crupper, and a breeching, and to stand⟳ still whilst they are put⟳ on; then to have⟳ a cart or a chaise fixed behind him, so that he cannot walk⟳ or trot without dragging it after him: and he must go fast or slow, just as his driver wishes.”

CEFR level