bridle: Meaning and Definition of

bri•dle

Pronunciation: (brīd'l), [key]
— n., v., -dled, -dling.
—n.
  1. part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usually of a headstall, bit, and reins.
  2. anything that restrains or curbs: His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper.
  3. a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a machine.
  4. 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.
  5. a raising up of the head, as in disdain.
—v.t.
  1. to put a bridle on.
  2. to control or hold back; restrain; curb.
—v.i.
  1. to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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