Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

curb       (kûrb)  Pronunciation Key  n.   A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street. An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight. A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen. Something that checks or restrains: High interest rates put a curb on spending. A chain or strap that passes under a horse's lower jaw and serves in conjunction with the bit to restrain the horse. A market, originally on a street or sidewalk, for trading securities that are not listed on a stock exchange. tr.v.   curbed, curb·ing, curbs To check, restrain, or control as if with a curb; rein in. See Synonyms at restrain. To lead (a dog) off the sidewalk into the gutter so that it can excrete waste. To furnish with a curb. [Blend of Middle English, curved piece of wood (from Old French corbe, curved object, from corbe, curved, from Latin curvus) and Middle English corbe, horse strap (from corben, to bow down, halt, from Old French corber, to bow down, from Latin curvāre, from curvus, curved, bent; see sker-2 in Indo-European roots).]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
curb 

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

curb
noun
1.	an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)
2.	a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap to check the horse
3.	a stock exchange in New York [syn: American Stock Exchange]
4.	the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess; "his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper" [syn: bridle]
verb
1.	lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits; "moderate your alcohol intake"; "hold your tongue"; "hold your temper"; "control your anger" [syn: control]
2.	to put down by force or authority; "suppress a nascent uprising"; "stamp down on littering"; "conquer one's desires" [syn: suppress]
3.	keep to the curb; "curb your dogs"
4.	place restrictions on; "curtail drinking in school" [syn: restrict]

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

Curb

Curb\ (k?rb), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Curbed (k?rbd); p. pr. & vb. n. Curbing.] [F. courber to bend, curve, L. curvare, fr. curvus bent, curved; cf. Gr. ?????? curved. Cf. Curve.]

1. To bend or curve [Obs.]

Crooked and curbed lines. --Holland.

2. To guide and manage, or restrain, as with a curb; to bend to one's will; to subject; to subdue; to restrain; to confine; to keep in check.

Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed. --Milton.

Where pinching want must curbthy warm desires. --Prior.

3. To furnish wich a curb, as a well; also, to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth.

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

Curb

Curb\, v. i. To bend; to crouch; to cringe. [Obs.]

Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg, Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good. --Shak.

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

Curb

Curb\, n. 1. That which curbs, restrains, or subdues; a check or hindrance; esp., a chain or strap attached to the upper part of the branches of a bit, and capable of being drawn tightly against the lower jaw of the horse.

He that before ran in the pastures wild Felt the stiff curb control his angry jaws. --Drayton.

By these men, religion,that should be The curb, is made the spur of tyranny. --Denham.

2. (Arch.) An assemblage of three or more pieces of timber, or a metal member, forming a frame around an opening, and serving to maintain the integrity of that opening; also, a ring of stone serving a similar purpose, as at the eye of a dome.

3. A frame or wall round the mouth of a well; also, a frame within a well to prevent the earth caving in.

4. A curbstone.

5. (Far.) A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness. --James Law.

Curb bit, a stiff bit having branches by which a leverage is obtained upon the jaws of horse. --Knight.

Curb pins (Horology), the pins on the regulator which restrain the hairspring.

Curb plate (Arch.), a plate serving the purpose of a curb.

Deck curb. See under Deck.