chaps
chaps Lexical Profile
chaps Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Sturdy protective leggings, typically made of leather and having no seat, worn buckled over trousers by horseback riders, ranch workers, or motorcyclists to shield the legs from brush, friction, and weather.
"The ranch hand buckled on his heavy leather chaps before riding out into the thorny scrubland."
British Men or boys; fellows (plural of chap).
"Several of the chaps from the university rowing club met at the pub after practice."
The lower jaws or cheeks, especially of an animal such as a pig.
"The hound licked its chaps eagerly as the roast was carved."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the leather riding garment, 'chaps' is a plural-only noun (pluralia tantum) and is often pronounced 'shaps' (/ʃæps/) in western equestrian usage, whereas the plural of 'chap' (meaning fellows) is always pronounced /tʃæps/.
• Rhymes for chaps
Word Origin & Etymology
In the sense of protective leather leggings, the word entered English in the late 19th century as a clipping of Mexican Spanish 'chaparreras', derived from 'chaparro' (dense scrub oak brush), against which the garment protected riders.