britches en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈbɹɪt͡ʃɪz/
- (US) audio
Etymology
An alteration of breeches (“trousers, pantaloons”) in use since at least the 18th century in Britain and British colonies.
Meanings
-
(Appalachia, Southern-US, alt-of, alternative, plural, plural-only) Alternative form of breeches (pants, trousers).
alt of breeches
And Tom Bowles told him, says, "Go up to the store and get you a free pair of britches [on me]." Says, "Them damned old britches you wearing ain't fittin' to wear to town."
2003, Thad Sitton, Harder than hardscrabble: oral recollections of the farming life ..., page 124:
- (plural, plural-only) The roe of cod.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| britch | attributive | lexicographic |
Deriveds
breath and britches · big-boy britches · get glad in the same britches one got mad in · frog's britches · too big for one's britches
Descendants
Synonyms
knee britches (breeches)