5. The seat of consciousness; the repository of thought and self-consciousness, or of secrets; the seat of the affections and passions; the heart.
He has a loyal breast.
Shak.
6. The power of singing; a musical voice; -- so called, probably, from the connection of the voice with the lungs, which lie within the breast. [Obs.]
By my troth, the fool has an excellent breast.
Shak.
Breast drill, a portable drilling machine, provided with a breastplate, for forcing the drill against the work. - - Breast pang. See Angina pectoris, under Angina. -- To make a clean breast, to disclose the secrets which weigh upon one; to make full confession.
Breast, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Breasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Breasting.] To meet, with the breast; to struggle with or oppose manfully; as, to breast the storm or waves.
The court breasted the popular current by sustaining the demurrer.
Wirt.
To breast up a hedge, to cut the face of it on one side so as to lay bare the principal upright stems of the plants.
Breast"band` (-bnd`), n. A band for the breast. Specifically: (Naut.) A band of canvas, or a rope, fastened at both ends to the rigging, to support the man who heaves the lead in sounding.
Breast"beam` (brst"bm`), n. (Mach.) The front transverse beam of a locomotive.
Breast"bone` (brst"bn`), n. The bone of the breast; the sternum.
Breast"-deep` (brst"dp`), a. Deep as from the breast to the feet; as high as the breast.
Set him breast-deep in earth, and famish him.
Shak.
Breast"ed, a. Having a breast; -- used in composition with qualifying words, in either a literal or a metaphorical sense; as, a single-breasted coat.
The close minister is buttoned up, and the brave officer open-breasted, on these occasions.
Spectator.
Breast"fast` (&?;), n. (Naut.) A large rope to fasten the midship part of a ship to a wharf, or to another vessel.
Breast"height` (&?;), n. The interior slope of a fortification, against which the garrison lean in firing.
Breast"-high` (&?;), a. High as the breast.
Breast"hook` (&?;), n. (Naut.) A thick piece of timber in the form of a knee, placed across the stem of a ship to strengthen the fore part and unite the bows on each side. Totten.
Breast"ing, n. (Mach.) The curved channel in which a breast wheel turns. It is closely adapted to the curve of the wheel through about a quarter of its circumference, and prevents the escape of the water until it has spent its force upon the wheel. See Breast wheel.
Breast"knot` (brst"nt), n. A knot of ribbons worn on the breast. Addison.
Breast"pin` (brst"pn`), n. A pin worn on the breast for a fastening, or for ornament; a brooch.
Breast"plate` (&?;), n. 1. A plate of metal covering the breast as defensive armor.
Before his old rusty breastplate could be scoured, and his cracked headpiece mended.
Swift.
2. A piece against which the workman presses his breast in operating a breast drill, or other similar tool.