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bridle
The definition of a bridle is a device used to control an animal, such as the headgear used to control a horse.
(noun)The headgear used to control a horse is an example of a bridle.
To bridle is to put headgear on a horse to control it, or to bring something under control.
(verb)- When you put headgear on a horse, this is an example of a time when you bridle the horse.
- When you control your anger, this is an example of a time when you bridle your anger.
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See bridle in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a head harness for guiding a horse: it consists of headstall, bit, and reins
- anything resembling a horse's bridle
- anything that controls or restrains
- frenum
- a connecting metal strip for limiting motion in machinery
- Naut. a cable with the ends fast and another cable attached to it between the ends for applying force, as in towing a ship
Origin: ME & OE bridel < bregdan, move quickly: see braid
intransitive verb
- to pull one's head back quickly with the chin drawn in as an expression of anger, scorn, pride, etc.
- to take offense (at)
See bridle in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A harness, consisting of a headstall, bit, and reins, fitted about a horse's head and used to restrain or guide the animal.
- A curb or check: put a bridle on spending.
- Nautical A span of chain, wire, or rope that can be secured at both ends to an object and slung from its center point.
- To put a bridle on.
- To control or restrain with or as if with a bridle. See Synonyms at restrain.
- To lift the head and draw in the chin as an expression of scorn or resentment.
- To show anger or resentment; take offense: bridling at the criticism.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English bridel
Origin: , from Old English brīdel
.Related Forms:
- briˈdler noun
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