— breastless , adj.
/brest/ , n.
1. Anat. , Zool. (in bipeds) the outer, front part of the thorax, or the front part of the body from the neck to the abdomen; chest.
2. Zool. the corresponding part in quadrupeds.
3. either of the pair of mammae occurring on the chest in humans and having a discrete areola around the nipple, esp. the mammae of the female after puberty, which are enlarged and softened by hormonally influenced mammary-gland development and fat deposition and which secrete milk after the birth of a child: the breasts of males normally remain rudimentary.
4. the part of a garment that covers the chest.
5. the bosom conceived of as the center of emotion: What anger lay in his breast when he made that speech?
6. a projection from a wall, as part of a chimney.
7. any surface or part resembling or likened to the human breast.
8. Mining. the face or heading at which the work is going on.
9. Metall.
a. the front of an open-hearth furnace.
b. the clay surrounding the taphole of a cupola.
10. Naut.
a. See breast line .
b. a rounded bow.
11. beat one's breast , to display one's grief, remorse, etc., in a loud and demonstrative manner.
12. make a clean breast of , to confess everything (of which one is guilty): You'll feel better if you make a clean breast of it.
v.t.
13. to meet or oppose boldly; confront: As a controversial public figure he has breasted much hostile criticism.
14. to contend with or advance against: The ship breasted the turbulent seas.
15. to climb or climb over (a mountain, obstacle, etc.).
16. to overcome, succeed against.
17. to come alongside or abreast of.
18. breast in , Naut. to bind (an object, as a boatswain's chair) securely under a projection, as the flare of a bow.
19. breast off , Naut.
a. to thrust (a vessel) sideways from a wharf.
b. to keep (a vessel) away from a wharf by means of timbers.
[ bef. 1000; ME brest, OE breost; c. ON brjost; akin to G Brust, Goth brusts, D borst ]