Rein Definition
rān
reined, reining, reins
noun
reins
A narrow strap of leather attached to each end of the bit in the mouth of a horse, and held by the rider or driver to control the animal.
Webster's New World
A means of guiding, controlling, checking, or restraining.
The reins of government.
Webster's New World
A means of controlling or directing.
The reins of government.
American Heritage
(now rare, archaic, chiefly in plural) A kidney.
Wiktionary
The inward impulses; the affections and passions, formerly supposed to be located in the area of the kidneys.
Wiktionary
verb
reined, reining, reins
To check or hold back by the use of reins. Often used with in or up .
Reined in the horse.
American Heritage
To guide, control, check, or restrain with or as with reins.
Webster's New World
To submit to or be controlled by reins.
Webster's New World
To stop or slow down a horse, etc. with or as with reins.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
idiom
draw rein
- To stop a horse, for example, by pulling on the reins.
American Heritage
draw in the reins
- To slow down or stop a horse or other animal by putting pressure on the reins.
- To restrain or control.
American Heritage
give free
- To release from restraints; allow to go unchecked:
gave free rein to her emotions.
American Heritage
draw rein
- to tighten the reins
- to slow down or stop
Webster's New World
give (free) rein to
- to allow to act without restraint
Webster's New World
Origin of Rein
-
Anglo-Norman reyne, from Old French resne (Modern French rêne), from Vulgar Latin *retina, from Classical Latin retineō (“to retain"), from re- + teneō.
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Old French resne, reine from Vulgar Latin retina from Latin retinēre to retain retain
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
From Anglo-Norman reines, Middle French reins, and their source, Latin rēnēs.
From Wiktionary
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