Forms: 3–6 breke, 6 breik, 7 breeke, 5– breek. [North. Eng. and Sc. variant of BREECH sb.]

1

  1.  A garment covering the loins and thighs; = BREECH sb. 1.

2

  † a.  Formerly in singular. Obs.

3

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 2048. Was funden þan na breke in land.

4

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 48. Breche or breke, braccæ.

5

a. 1528.  Skelton, Elynour Rumm., 452. The vertue … Of her husbands breke.

6

  b.  Now only in pl. breeks = BREECHES, trousers.

7

1552.  Lyndesay, Monarche, 985. And maid thame Breikis of leuis grene.

8

1632.  B. Jonson, Magn. Lady, V. v. I ha’ linnen Breeks on.

9

1651.  Proc. Parliament, No. 84. 1282. To slip off their breeks, that so they may wade up to their middle.

10

1814.  Scott, Wav., xlviii. It’s ill taking the breeks off a Highlandman.

11

1853.  Kane, Grinnell Exp., xxx. (1856), 263. A pair of coarse woollen drawers, and a pair of seal-skin breeks over them.

12

1855.  Whitby Gloss., Breeks, breeches.

13

  † 2.  The buttocks, rump, posterior. Obs.

14

1641.  Best, Farm. Bks. (1856), 69. They beginne usually on the belly … greasinge tayle and breeke last.

15