GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Bridle , n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon.]
   The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages.
   1913 Webster
   A restraint; a curb; a check.
   I. Watts.
   
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   (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
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   (Naut.) (a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends, so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached to its middle. (b) A mooring hawser.
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   Bowline bridle. See under Bowline. -- Branches of a bridle. See under Branch. -- Bridle cable (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle. See 4, above. -- Bridle hand, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the left hand. -- Bridle path, Bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles. -- Bridle port (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are passed. -- Bridle rein, a rein attached to the bit. -- Bridle road. (a) Same as Bridle path. Lowell. (b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback exercise. -- Bridle track, a bridle path. -- Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2.
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   Syn. -- A check; restrain.
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2.       
   Bridle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bridled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Bridling .]
   To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.
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   He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist.
   Drake.
   
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   To restrain, guide, or govern, with, or as with, a bridle; to check, curb, or control; as, to bridle the passions; to bridle a muse.
   Addison.
   
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   Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation.
   Burke.
   
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   Syn. -- To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress; master; subdue.
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3.       
   Bridle, v. i. To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; -- usually with up. “His bridling neck.”  
   Wordsworth.
   
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   By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus.
   Tatler.
   
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