[f. prec. sb.]
1. trans. To apply or oppose the breast to (waves, wind, a steep ascent); to stem, face, meet in full opposition. To breast a fence, horse, etc.: to mount by springing so as to bring the breast over.
1599. Shaks., Hen. V., III. Prol. 13. Bresting the loftie Surge.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 128. It observes not a constant respect unto the mouth of the wind, but variously converting doth seldome breast it right.
a. 1700[?]. Ballad ‘Fause Foodrage,’ xxii. in Scott, Minstr. Sc. Bord. You shall learn … Right well to breast a steed.
1870. Morris, Earthly Par., I. 171. The horse began to breast the hill.
1874. Blackie, Self-Cult., 79. A swimmer … breasting the big waves.
b. fig.
1850. Prescott, Peru, II. 29. Prepared to breast the difficulties of the sierra.
1862. Goulburn, Pers. Relig., IV. (1873), 318. Breasting its perils … gallantly.
c. To breast oneself: to oppose one’s breast to; so to breast it out (cf. face it out).
1815. Hist. J. Decastro, &c. III. 114. To breast it out against difficulties, dangers, sin, and the devil.
1863. W. Phillips, Speeches, i. 6. Civil government breasting itself to the shock of lawless men.
d. To breast aside: to breast so as to push aside.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xliv. (1856), 406. We gradually force ahead, breasting aside the floes.
2. intr. To press forward with the breast.
a. 1700[?]. Red Squair, in Ever Green (1824), II. 225. Breisting owre the Brae.
1786. Burns, Salut. to Mare, xiv. Thou never lap, an’ sten’t and breastit, Then stood to blaw.
† 3. trans. To give the breast to; fig. to nourish. Obs. rare.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 27. In good corne soile to nest thee, Where pasture and meade may brest thee.
† 4. To defend in front or with a breastwork.
1591. Lambarde, Archeion (1635), 172. The Offenders, which were … so brested, sided, and backed with a many friends.
1624. Capt. J. Smith, Virginia, III. vi. 60. Their pallizadoed towne … brested about with brests very formally.
5. trans. To apply the breast to.
1820. Keats, Isabella, lix. 470. She hurried back, as swift As bird on wing to breast its eggs again.
6. To breast up a hedge: to cut away the branches on one side so that the main upright stems are laid bare.
