breech Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded
rear of tube; rear of barrel.

See Breeches.

The lower part of the body behind; the buttocks.
Breeches. Obs. Shak.
The hinder part of anything; esp., the part of a cannon, or other firearm, behind the chamber.
(Naut.) The external angle of knee timber, the inside of which is called the throat.

imperfect & past participle Breeched present participle & verbal noun Breeching

To put into, or clothe with, breeches.
A great man . . . anxious to know whether the blacksmith's youngest boy was breeched. Macaulay.
To cover as with breeches. Poetic
Their daggers unmannerly breeched with gore. Shak.
To fit or furnish with a breech; as, to breech a gun.
To whip on the breech. Obs.
Had not a courteous serving man conveyed me away, whilst he went to fetch whips, I think, in my conscience, he would have breeched me. Old Play.
To fasten with breeching.