reins

[ reynz ]
See synonyms for: reinsrein on Thesaurus.com

plural noun
  1. the kidneys.

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

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

Origin of reins

1
before 1000; Middle English reines, reenes<Old French reins; compare Old English (once) rēnys; both <Latin rēnēs kidneys, loins (plural); cf. renal

Words Nearby reins

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use reins in a sentence

  • The soldier lackey resigned the reins to Rabecque, and requested Monsieur de Garnache to follow him.

    St. Martin's Summer | Rafael Sabatini
  • Frank loosened his sword from its fastenings and took a revolver in his left hand, in which he also held the reins.

    The Red Year | Louis Tracy
  • Frank sprang after him and caught the reins before the startled creature could break away.

    The Red Year | Louis Tracy
  • I wonder why wise men choose silly wives always, she added consciously, playing with the reins.

    Tessa Wadsworth's Discipline | Jennie M. Drinkwater
  • His donkey stumbled—it was natural enough, seeing that the reins hung loose and his feet had somehow left the stirrups.

    The Wave | Algernon Blackwood

British Dictionary definitions for reins

reins

/ (reɪnz) /


pl n
  1. archaic the kidneys or loins

Origin of reins

1
C14: from Old French, from Latin rēnēs the kidneys

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012