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furcated garment for a man, covering the body from the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and stockings in one.

ith a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech.

ith a small hole to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other firearm near the breech; -- distinguished from an open sight.

The firing pin of a breechloader. Plunger bucket, a piston, without a valve, in a pump. -- Plunger pole, the pump rod of a pumping engine. -- Plunger pump, a pump, as for water, having a plunger, instead of a piston, to act upon the water. It may be single-acting or double- acting

specifically designated by the part which first appears at the mouth of the uterus; as, a breech presentation. Presentation copy, a copy of a book, engraving, etc., presented to some one by the author or artist, as a token of regard.

ting such a gun using fixed ammunition or metallic cartridge cases; -- distinguished from breech- loading (abbr. B. L.), applied to all guns loading with the charge in bags, and formerly from quick-fire. Rapid-fire guns in the navy also sometimes include automatic or semiautomatic rapid-fire guns; the former being auto…

which is in the rear, or last in order. -- Rear sight (Firearms), the sight nearest the breech. -- To bring up the rear, to come last or behind.

mething which reënforces or strengthens. Specifically: (a) That part of a cannon near the breech which is thicker than the rest of the piece, so as better to resist the force of the exploding powder. See Illust. of Cannon. (b) An additional thickness of canvas, cloth, or the like, around an eyelet, buttonhole, etc.…

mechanism the charges are successively introduced from a chamber containing them into the breech of the barrel, and fired. (b) A form in which the charges are held in, and discharged from, a revolving chamber at the breech of the barrel. See Revolver, and Magazine gun, under Magazine. -- Repeating instruments (Astron.…

In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge shell from the barrel. (b) (Surg.)

's back, being fastened in place with a girth. It serves various purposes, as to keep the breeching in place, carry guides for the reins, etc.

A fellow without breeches; a ragged fellow; -- a name of reproach given in the first French revolution to the extreme republican party, who rejected breeches as an emblem peculiar to the upper classes or aristocracy, and adopted pantaloons.

one under the tuition of a preceptor; a pupil; a disciple; a learner; a student. I am no breeching scholar in the schools. Shak.

The case which holds the powder, or charge of powder and shot, used with breechloading small arms.

Breeches; shortclothes. [Slang] Dickens.

[Obs. or Scot.] Shak. His gown had side sleeves down to mid leg. Laneham. Side action, in breech-loading firearms, a mechanism for operating the breech block, which is moved by a lever that turns sidewise. -- Side arms, weapons worn at the side, as sword, bayonet, pistols, etc. -- Side ax, an ax of which the handle i…

A small piece of metal, fixed or movable, on the breech, muzzle, center, or trunnion of a gun, or on the breech and the muzzle of a rifle, pistol, etc., by means of which the eye is guided in aiming. Farrow.

A loose lower garment; loose breeches; chiefly used in the plural. "A pair of slops." Sir P. Sidney. There's a French salutation to your French slop. Shak.

A man's garment for the hips and thighs; breeches. See Breeches.

A breech-loading rifle formerly used in the British service; -- so called from the inventor.