Bridle definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms

brake, leash, restraint, bit, check, constrain, curb, hold, hold back, hold down, hold in, inhibit

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Bridle - 7 dictionary results

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bri⋅dle

[brahyd-l]

noun, verb, -dled, -dling.

–noun

1.	part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usually of a headstall, bit, and reins.

2.	anything that restrains or curbs: His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper.

3.	Machinery. a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a machine.

4.	Nautical. a rope or chain secured at both ends to an object to be held, lifted, or towed, and itself held or lifted by a rope or chain secured at its center.

5.	a raising up of the head, as in disdain.

–verb (used with object)

6.	to put a bridle on.

7.	to control or hold back; restrain; curb.

–verb (used without object)

8.	to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME bridel, OE brīdel for brigdels, equiv. to brigd- (var. s. of bregdan to braid¹ ) + -els n. suffix; akin to D breidel, OHG brittel

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Bridle

Spanish:

brida,

German:

das Zaumzeug,

Japanese:

馬勒

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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.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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bridle

O.E. bridel, related to bregdan "move quickly," from P.Gmc. *bregdilaz (see braid). The verb meaning "to throw up the head" (as a horse does when reined in) is from 1460.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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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

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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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.

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.

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.