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bridling

 - 4 dictionary results

bri⋅dle

  [brahyd-l] noun, verb, -dled, -dling.
Use bridling in a Sentence
–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

Related forms:
bri⋅dle⋅less, adjective
bridler, noun

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. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bridling
bri·dle   (brīd'l)   
n.  

  1. A harness, consisting of a headstall, bit, and reins, fitted about a horse's head and used to restrain or guide the animal.

  2. A curb or check: put a bridle on spending.

  3. 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.

  1. To put a bridle on.

  2. To control or restrain with or as if with a bridle. See Synonyms at restrain.

v.   intr.

  1. To lift the head and draw in the chin as an expression of scorn or resentment.

  2. 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 © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: bri·dle
Pronunciation: 'brId-&l
Function: noun
: FRENULUM
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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