[W/K] :: Breeches

  Breeches \Breech"es\ (br[i^]ch"[e^]z), n. pl. [OE. brech, brek,
     AS. br[=e]k, pl. of br[=o]c breech, breeches; akin to Icel.
     br[=o]k 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              His jacket was red, and his breeches were blue.
                                                    --Coleridge.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Trousers; pantaloons. [Colloq.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.]
        [1913 Webster]

  breeches
       n : trousers ending above the knee [syn: knee breeches, knee
           pants, knickerbockers, knickers]

  Breeches
     (Ex. 28:42), rather linen drawers, reaching from the waist to a
     little above the knee, worn by the priests (Ezek. 44:17, 18).