bridle
/ˈbɹaɪdəl/ noun, verb
Forms bridles bridling bridled
- noun (equestrianism) The headgear with which a horse is directed and which carries a bit and reins.
- noun (figurative) A restraint; a curb; a check.
- noun A length of line or cable attached to two parts of something to spread the force of a pull, as the rigging on a kite for attaching line.
- noun A mooring hawser.
- noun A piece in the interior of a gunlock which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
- noun A gesture expressing pride or vanity.
- verb (transitive) To put a bridle on.
- verb (transitive) To check, restrain, or control with, or as if with, a bridle; as in bridle your tongue.
- verb (intransitive) To show hostility or resentment.
- verb (intransitive) To hold up one's head proudly or affectedly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel, from Proto-West Germanic *brigdil, from Proto-Germanic *brigdilaz (“strap, rein”), equivalent to braid + -le.
Webster’s 1913
- noun The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages.
- noun A restraint; a curb; a check. I. Watts.
- verb To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.
- verb To restrain, guide, or govern, with, or as with, a bridle; to check, curb, or control; as, to bridle the passions; to bridle a muse. Addison.
Etymology [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “bridle”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details