King James Bible Dictionary

BREAST, noun brest.

1. The soft, protuberant body, adhering to the thorax, which, in females, furnishes milk for infants.

His breasts are full of milk. Job 21:24.

2. The fore part of the thorax, or the fore part of the human body between the neck and the belly.

3. The part of a breast which answers to the breast in man. This, in quadrupeds, is between the fore legs, below the neck.

4. Figuratively, the heart; the conscience; the disposition of the mind; the affections; the seat of the affections and passions.

5. Formerly, the power of singing.

BREAST, verb transitive brest. To meet in front; to oppose breast to breast

BREAST'BONE, noun [breast and bone.] The bone of the breast; the sternum.

BREAST'-C'ASKET, noun [breast and casket.]

One of the largest and longest of the caskets or strings on the middle of the yard of a ship.

BREAST'DEEP, adjective Breast high; as high as the breast.

BREAST'ED, adjective Having a broad breast; having a fine voice.

BREAST'F'AST, noun [breast and fast.] A large rope to confine a ship sidewise to a wharf or key.

BREAST'HIGH, adjective [breast and high.] High as the breast.

BREAST'HOOK, noun [breast and high.] A thick piece of timber placed directly across the stem of a ship to strengthen the fore part and unite the bows on each side.

BREAST'ING, participle present tense Meeting with the breast; opposing in front.

BREAST'KNOT, noun [breast and knot.] A knot of ribins worn on the breast.

1. That piece of ancient armour that protected the breast. This word is used figuratively in Ephesians 6:14 and Isaiah 59:17. (See ARMOUR.)

2. An ornament covering the breast of the high priest, first mentioned in Exodus 25:7. It was made of embroidered cloth, set with four rows of precious stones, three in each row. On each stone was engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes (Exodus 28:15-29; 39:8-21). It was in size about ten inches square. The two upper corners were fastened to the ephod by blue ribbons. It was not to be "loosed from the ephod" (Exodus 28:28). The lower corners were fastened to the girdle of the priest. As it reminded the priest of his representative character, it was called the memorial (28:29). It was also called the breastplate of judgment (28:15). (See PRIEST.)

1. For high priest

General references
Exodus 25:7

Directions for the making of
Exodus 28:15-30

Made by Bezaleel
Exodus 39:8; Exodus 39:21

Free-Will offering of materials for
Exodus 35:9; Exodus 35:27

Worn by Aaron
Exodus 29:5; Leviticus 8:8

2. Armor for soldiers
Revelation 9:9; Revelation 9:17

3. Figurative
Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:8

[ARMS, ARMOR]

BREAST'PLATE, noun [breast and plate.]

1. Armor for the breast.

2. A strap that runs across a horse's breast.

3. In Jewish antiquity, a part of the vestment of the high priest, consisting of a folded piece of the rich embroidered stuff of which the ephod was made. It was set with twelve precious stones, on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes.

BREAST'PLOW, noun [breast and plow.] A plow, driven by the breast, used to cut or pare turf.

BREAST'ROPE,noun [breast and rope.] In a ship, breast ropes are used to fasten the yards to the parrels, and with the parrels, to hold the yards fast to the mast; now called parrel ropes.

BREAST'-WORK, noun [breast and work.] In fortification, a work thrown up for defense; a parapet, which see.