Breeches buoy Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a life buoy in the form of a ring with short breeches for support; used to transfer people from a ship

WordNet


Definitions
  1. . See under Breeches.
Definitions
  1. in the life-saving service, a pair of canvas breeches depending from an annular or beltlike life buoy which is usually of cork. This contrivance, inclosing the person to be rescued, is hung by short ropes from a block which runs upon the hawser stretched from the ship to the shore, and is drawn to land by hauling lines.

Webster 1913