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bridle

 [brahyd-l]   Example Sentences Origin

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.

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to bark; yelp.
to run away hurriedly; flee.
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verb (used without object)
8.
to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English bridel, Old English brīdel for brigdels, equivalent to brigd- (variant stem of bregdan to braid1) + -els noun suffix; akin to Dutch breidel, Old High German brittel

Related forms
bri·dle·less, adjective
bri·dler, noun

Can be confused: bridal, bridle.

Synonyms
2. governor. 2, 7. check. 7. govern, constrain, inhibit, restrict, limit. 8. bristle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To bridle
Example Sentences
  • Among the items in the graves were weapons, spurs, a bridle and a drinking horn.
  • Canadians sometimes bridle at their reputation for being a bit dull.
  • After inspecting my kite, the judges informed me that my bridle was on backwards and that the tail could be longer.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
bridle (ˈbraɪdəl)
 
—n
1.  a headgear for a horse, etc, consisting of a series of buckled straps and a metal mouthpiece (bit) by which the animal is controlled through the reins
2.  something that curbs or restrains; check
3.  a Y-shaped cable, rope, or chain, used for holding, towing, etc
4.  machinery a device by which the motion of a component is limited, often in the form of a linkage or flange
 
—vb (often foll by at)
5.  (tr) to put a bridle on (a horse, mule, etc)
6.  (intr) (of a horse) to respond correctly to the pull of the reins
7.  (tr) to restrain; curb: he bridled his rage
8.  to show anger, scorn, or indignation
 
[Old English brigdels; related to bregdan to braid1, Old High German brittil, Middle Low German breidel]
 
'bridler
 
—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

bridle
O.E. bridel "bridle, rein, curb, restraint," 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 mid-15c. The verb meaning "to fit with a bridle" is from late 14c. Related: Bridled; bridling.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Easton
Bible Dictionary

Bridle definition


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.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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