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rein

 - 6 dictionary results

rein

  [reyn]
–noun
1. 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.
2. any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.
3. any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.
4. reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.
–verb (used with object)
5. to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.
6. to curb; restrain; control.
–verb (used without object)
7. to obey the reins: a horse that reins well.
8. to rein a horse or other animal.
—Idioms
9. 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.
Use rein in a Sentence
Origin:
1300–50; (n.) ME rene, reine, raine < OF re(s)ne < VL *retina, n. deriv. of L retinēre to hold back, retain; (v.) ME rainen, reinen, deriv. of the n.

Related forms:
reinless, adjective

Synonyms:
6. check, bridle, limit.

reins

  [reynz]
–plural noun
1. the kidneys.
2. the region of the kidneys, or the lower part of the back.
3. (esp. in Biblical use) the seat of the feelings or affections, formerly identified with the kidneys.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME reines, reenes < OF reins; cf. OE (once) rēnys; both < L rēnēs kidneys, loins (pl.); cf. renal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To rein
rein   (rān)   
n.  

  1. A long narrow leather strap attached to each end of the bit of a bridle and used by a rider or driver to control a horse or other animal. Often used in the plural.

  2. A means of restraint, check, or guidance.

  3. A means or an instrument by which power is exercised. Often used in the plural: the reins of government.

v.   reined, rein·ing, reins

v.   tr.

  1. To check or hold back by or as if by the use of reins. Often with in, back, or up.

  2. To restrain or control.

v.   intr.
To control a horse, for example, with reins.

[Middle English, from Old French resne, reine, from Vulgar Latin *retina, from Latin retinēre, to retain; see retain.]
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

rein  (n.)
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

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

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

rein

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

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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