Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Nearby Entries
curbing - 4 dictionary results

curb⋅ing

[kur-bing]
–noun
1. the material forming a curb, as along a street.
2. curbstones collectively.
3. a curb, or a section of a curb.
Also, British, kerbing.


Origin:
1585–95; curb + -ing 1

curb

[kurb]
–noun
1. a rim, esp. of joined stones or concrete, along a street or roadway, forming an edge for a sidewalk.
2. anything that restrains or controls; a restraint; check.
3. an enclosing framework or border.
4. Also called curb bit. a bit used with a bridoon for control of a horse, to which a chain (curb chain) is hooked.
5. Also called curb market; British, kerb market, kerbstone market. a market, originally on the sidewalk or street, for the sale of securities not listed on a stock exchange. Compare American Stock Exchange.
6. the framework around the top of a well.
7. the arris between an upper and a lower slope on a gambrel or mansard roof.
8. a belt of metal, masonry, etc., for abutting a dome at its base.
9. (in a windmill) the track on which the cap turns.
10. Veterinary Pathology. a swelling on the lower part of the back of the hock of a horse, often causing lameness.
11. Engineering. the cutting edge at the bottom of a caisson.
12. Carpentry. purlin plate.
–verb (used with object)
13. to control as with a curb; restrain; check.
14. to cause to keep near the curb: Curb your dog.
15. to furnish with or protect by a curb.
16. to put a curb on (a horse).
Also, British, kerb (for defs. 1, 15).


Origin:
1250–1300; ME curb, courbe curved piece of wood (n.), stooped, hunchbacked (adj.) < AF curb, courb curved, bowed; OF < L curvus crooked, bent, curved. See curve


curb⋅a⋅ble, adjective
curbless, adjective
curblike, adjective


13. bridle, repress. See check.


13. encourage.
curb   (kûrb)   
n.  
  1. A concrete border or row of joined stones forming part of a gutter along the edge of a street.
  2. An enclosing framework, such as that around a skylight.
  3. A raised margin along an edge used to confine or strengthen.
  4. Something that checks or restrains: High interest rates put a curb on spending.
  5. A chain or strap that passes under a horse's lower jaw and serves in conjunction with the bit to restrain the horse.
  6. 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
  1. To check, restrain, or control as if with a curb; rein in. See Synonyms at restrain.
  2. To lead (a dog) off the sidewalk into the gutter so that it can excrete waste.
  3. 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).]
curb·ing   (kûr'bĭng)   
n.  
  1. The material used to construct a curb.
  2. A row of curbstones; a curb.
Search another word or see curbing on Thesaurus | Reference
>