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rein

[reyn]

Origin

noun

Often, reins. a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit.

any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.

any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.

reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.

verb (used with object)

to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.

to curb; restrain; control.

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Rein is one of our favorite verbs.

So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:

to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

to bark; yelp.

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verb (used without object)

to obey the reins: a horse that reins well.

to rein a horse or other animal.

Idioms

draw rein, to curtail one's speed or progress; halt: The rider saw the snake and drew rein sharply.

10.

give rein to, to give complete freedom to; indulge freely: to give rein to one's imagination. Also, give free rein to, give full rein to.

Origin:
1300–50; (noun) Middle English rene, reine, raine < Old French re(s)ne < Vulgar Latin *retina, noun derivative of Latin retinēre to hold back, retain; (v.) Middle English rainen, reinen, derivative of the noun

Related forms

rein·less, adjective

un·reined, adjective

Can be confused: rain, reign, rein.

Synonyms
6. check, bridle, limit.

Dictionary.com Unabridged

plural noun

the kidneys.

the region of the kidneys, or the lower part of the back.

(especially in Biblical use) the seat of the feelings or affections, formerly identified with the kidneys.

Origin:
before 1000; Middle English reines, reenes < Old French reins; compare Old English (once) rēnys; both < Latin rēnēs kidneys, loins (plural); compare renal

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To rein

Collins

World English Dictionary

rein (reɪn)

—n
1.	(often plural) one of a pair of long straps, usually connected together and made of leather, used to control a horse, running from the side of the bit or the headstall to the hand of the rider, driver, or trainer
2.	a similar device used to control a very young child
3.	any form or means of control: to take up the reins of government
4.	the direction in which a rider turns (in phrases such as on a left (orright) rein, change the rein)
5.	something that restrains, controls, or guides
6.	give free rein, give a free rein to allow considerable freedom; remove restraints
7.	keep a tight rein on to control carefully; limit: we have to keep a tight rein on expenditure
8.	on a long rein with the reins held loosely so that the horse is relatively unconstrained
9.	shorten the reins to take up the reins so that the distance between hand and bit is lessened, in order that the horse may be more collected

—vb
10.	(tr) to check, restrain, hold back, or halt with or as if with reins
11.	to control or guide (a horse) with a rein or reins: they reined left

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

rein

c.1300, "strap fastened to a bridle," from O.Fr. rene, probably from V.L. *retina "a bond, check," back-formation from L. retinere "hold back" (see retain). The verb is c.1300, from the noun. Figurative extension "put a check on" first recorded 1588.

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

reins (rānz)
pl.n.
The kidneys, loins, or lower back.

American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

rein

see draw in the reins; free hand (rein) tight rein on.