1. The lower rear portion of the human trunk; the buttocks.
2. 1. A breech presentation or delivery.
   2. A fetus in breech presentation.
3. breeches
   1. Knee breeches.
   2. Informal. Trousers.
4. The part of a firearm behind the barrel.
5. The lower part of a pulley block.

[Middle English brech, from Old English brēc, pl. of brōc, leg covering, akin to Gaulish brāca, hose, trousers.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.