Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “breechless” come from?

breechless (English) comes from English breech, from Middle English breche, from Old English bryċe, from Proto-West Germanic bruki, from Proto-Germanic brūkiz, from Proto-Indo-European bʰruHg- — to make use of; have enjoyment of.

breechless (English): Not having any breeches; Not wearing breeches;...

Definitions

  1. Not having any breeches; Not wearing breeches;...

Ancestry of “breechless”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbreechA garment whose purpose is to cover or clothe the...
2Middle EnglishbrecheAlternative form of birche
3Old Englishbryċefracture, breach; breach; breaking
4Proto-West Germanicbrukibreak
5Proto-Germanicbrūkizuseful, useable
6Proto-Indo-EuropeanbʰruHg-to make use of; have enjoyment of
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰruHg- →