bridle
part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usually of a headstall, bit, and reins.
anything that restrains or curbs: His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper.
Machinery. a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a machine.
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.
a raising up of the head, as in disdain.
to put a bridle on.
to control or hold back; restrain; curb.
to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.
Origin of bridle
1Other words for bridle
Other words from bridle
- bri·dle·less, adjective
- bridler, noun
Words that may be confused with bridle
- bridal, bridle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for bridle
/ (ˈbraɪdəl) /
a headgear for a horse, etc, consisting of a series of buckled straps and a metal mouthpiece (bit) by which the animal is controlled through the reins
something that curbs or restrains; check
a Y-shaped cable, rope, or chain, used for holding, towing, etc
machinery a device by which the motion of a component is limited, often in the form of a linkage or flange
(tr) to put a bridle on (a horse, mule, etc)
(intr) (of a horse) to respond correctly to the pull of the reins
(tr) to restrain; curb: he bridled his rage
(intr often foll by at) to show anger, scorn, or indignation
Origin of bridle
1Derived forms of bridle
- bridler, noun
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
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