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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

bri·dle       (brīd'l)  Pronunciation Key  n.   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. v.   bri·dled, bri·dling, bri·dles v.   tr. To put a bridle on. To control or restrain with or as if with a bridle. See Synonyms at restrain. v.   intr. 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. [Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel.] bri'dler n.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
bridle 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

bridle
noun
1.	headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
2.	the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess; "his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper"
verb
1.	anger or take offense; "She bridled at his suggestion to elope"
2.	put a bridle on; "bridle horses" [ant: unbridle]
3.	respond to the reins, as of horses

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: bri·dle
Pronunciation: 'brId-^&l
Function: noun
: FRENULUM

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bridle

Bri"dle\, n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon.]

1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages.

2. A restraint; a curb; a check. --I. Watts.

3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.

4. (Naut.) (a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends, so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached to its middle. (b) A mooring hawser.

Bowline bridle. See under Bowline.

Branches of a bridle. See under Branch.

Bridle cable (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle. See 4, above.

Bridle hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the left hand.

Bridle path, Bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles.

Bridle port (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are passed.

Bridle rein, a rein attached to the bit.

Bridle road. (a) Same as Bridle path. --Lowell. (b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback exercise.

Bridle track, a bridle path.

Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2.

Syn: A check; restrain.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bridle

Bri"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bridled; p. pr. & vb. n. Bridling.]

1. To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.

He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. --Drake.

2. 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.

Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation. --Burke.

Syn: To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress; master; subdue.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bridle

Bri"dle\, v. i. To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; -- usually with up. "His bridling neck." --Wordsworth.

By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus. --Tatler.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Bridle

Three Hebrew words are thus rendered in the Authorized Version. (1.) Heb. _mahsom'_ signifies a muzzle or halter or bridle, by which the rider governs his horse (Ps.39:1). (2.) _Me'theg_, rendered also "bit" in Ps. 32:9, which is its proper meaning. Found in 2 Kings 19:28, where the restraints of God's providence are metaphorically styled his "bridle" and "hook." God's placing a "bridle in the jaws of the people" (Isa. 30:28; 37:29) signifies his preventing the Assyrians from carrying out their purpose against Jerusalem. (3.) Another word, _re'sen_, was employed to represent a halter or bridle-rein, as used Ps. 32:9; Isa. 30:28. In Job 30:11 the restraints of law and humanity are called a bridle.

On-line Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

bridle

bridle: in CancerWEB's On-line Medical Dictionary