Breast

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English bōsm; akin to Old High German buosam bosom

• Date: before 12th century

Definitions

• 1 a : the human chest and especially the front part of the chest <hugged the child to his bosom>

b : a woman's breasts regarded especially as a single feature <a woman with an ample bosom>; also : breast

• 2 a : the chest conceived of as the seat of the emotions and intimate feelings <a story you will take to your bosom>

b : the security and intimacy of or like that of being hugged to someone's bosom <the bosom of her family>

• 3 : the part of a garment that covers the chest or the breasts

Description

The breast is the upper ventral region of an animal’s torso, particularly that of mammals, including human beings. The breasts of a female primate’s body contain the mammary glands, which secrete milk used to feed infants.

Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues. However, at puberty, female sex hormones, mainly estrogen, promote breast development which does not occur in men. As a result, women's' breasts become far more prominent than those of men.