Breech'es, n. pl.

(brĭch'ez), n. pl. [A-S. broc, pl. brec, bræc, breeches, trowsers, girdle; Ir. brog, Gael. briogais, O. Dan. brog, D. broek, Prov. Fr. brougnes, Lat. bruca, bruce, braccæ. See BRAIL and BROGUE.] A garment worn by men, covering the hips and thighs;—sometimes, but less properly, used in the sense of trowsers or pantaloons. “His jacket was red, and his breeches were blue.” Coleridge.

To wear the breeches, to usurp the authority of the husband;—said of a wife. [Collog.]