Where does “knee-breeches” come from?
knee-breeches (English) comes from English breeches, from Middle English breches, from Old English brēċ, from Proto-Germanic brōkiz, from Proto-Germanic brōks, from Proto-Germanic brāks, from Proto-Indo-European bʰrāg-, from Proto-Indo-European bʰrēǵ- — to shine, shimmer.
knee-breeches (English): Breeches reaching down to or just below the knee
Definitions
- Breeches reaching down to or just below the knee
Ancestry of “knee-breeches”, step by step
knee-breeches traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English breeches
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | breeches | plural of breech; API pl; A garment worn by men,... |
| 2 | Middle English | breches | — |
| 3 | Old English | brēċ | breeches |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | brōkiz | — |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | brōks | rear end, rump, hindquarters; leggings, pants,... |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | brāks | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰrāg- | rump, hock, hindquarters |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰrēǵ- | to shine, shimmer |