bri|dle

bri|dle
bri|dle «BRY duhl», noun, verb, -dled, -dling.
–n.
1. the part of a harness that fits over a horse's head, used to hold him back or control him. A bridle usually consists of a headstall, bit, and reins.
2. Figurative. anything that holds back or controls; curb. SYNONYM(S): check.
3. a strip, link, or flange on a machine that limits the motion of a part; a guide.
4. the assumption of an attitude of offended dignity: »

“Miss Howe”…repeated she, with a scornful bridle (Samuel Richardson).

5. a strong double cable by which a ship may be moored in bad weather.
6. a line or lines attaching a kite to a flying line.
7. an old instrument used to punish or correct scolding women; branks.
8. Anatomy. = frenum. (Cf. ↑frenum)
–v.t.
1. to put a bridle on: »

He saddled and bridled his hors

2. Figurative. to hold back; bring under control; check: »

Bridle your temper.

SYNONYM(S): control, curb.
–v.i.
Figurative. to hold the head up high with the chin drawn back to express pride, scorn, or anger: »

She bridled when we made fun of her new hat.

╂[Old English brīdel, brigdels < bregdan to braid]
–bri´dler, noun.
–bri´dle|less, adjective.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • bri´dle|less — bri|dle «BRY duhl», noun, verb, dled, dling. –n. 1. the part of a harness that fits over a horse s head, used to hold him back or control him. A bridle usually consists of a headstall, bit, and reins. 2. Figurative. anything that holds back or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • bri|dle-wise — «BRY duhl WYZ», adjective. trained to respond to the pressure of the reins on the neck, instead of a pull on the bit, as a horse …   Useful english dictionary

  • un|bri|dle — «uhn BRY duhl», transitive verb, dled, dling. 1. to remove the bridle from (a horse). 2. Figurative. to free (a person or his faculties) from restraint: »The right approach to mathematics, then, is to unbridle the imagination (Harper s) …   Useful english dictionary

  • bri´dler — bri|dle «BRY duhl», noun, verb, dled, dling. –n. 1. the part of a harness that fits over a horse s head, used to hold him back or control him. A bridle usually consists of a headstall, bit, and reins. 2. Figurative. anything that holds back or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • dle — ad·dle·pate; ai·dle; bea·dle; bea·dle·dom; bin·dle; bri·dle·less; brin·dle; bud·dle·ia; ca·boo·dle; can·dle·mas; ca·noo·dle; con·did·dle; crud·dle; cru·dle; cud·dle·some; did·dle·dees; doo·dle·sack; drid·dle; fad·dle; far·dle; fer·ri·did·dle;… …   English syllables

  • bri — an·ti·fi·bri·nol·y·sin; an·ti·fi·bri·nol·y·sis; bri·ard; bri·bri; bri·bri; bri·cole; bri·dle·less; bri·doon; bri·er·ber·ry; bri·ery; bri·ming; bri·nell; bri·oche; bri·o·lette; bri·sance; bri·sco·la; bri·sé; bri·sure; bri·tan·nia; bri·tan·nian;… …   English syllables

  • bridle — bri·dle …   English syllables

  • bridle — bri•dle [[t]ˈbraɪd l[/t]] n. v. dled, dling 1) dch part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usu. of a headstall, bit, and reins 2) restraint; curb 3) mac a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a… …   From formal English to slang

  • bridlepath — briˈdlepath, briˈdle road or briˈdleway noun A path or way for those riding or leading horses • • • Main Entry: ↑bridle …   Useful english dictionary

  • bridle-road — briˈdlepath, briˈdle road or briˈdleway noun A path or way for those riding or leading horses • • • Main Entry: ↑bridle …   Useful english dictionary

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