GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 3 definitions

  1.       
    
    Curb , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Curbed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Curbing.] [F. courber to bend, curve, L.curvare, fr. curvus bent, curved; cf. Gr. κυρτός curved. Cf. Curve.]
    1. To bend or curve. [Obs.]
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      Crooked and curbed lines.
      Holland.

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    2. To guide and manage, or restrain, as with a curb; to bend to one's will; to subject; to subdue; to restrain; to confine; to keep in check.
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      Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed.
      Milton.

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      Where pinching want must curb thy warm desires.
      Prior.

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    3. To furnish with a curb, as a well; also, to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth.
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  2.       
    
    Curb, v. i. To bend; to crouch; to cringe. [Obs.]
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    Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,
    Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good.
    Shak.

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  3.       
    
    Curb, n.
    1. That which curbs, restrains, or subdues; a check or hindrance; esp., a chain or strap attached to the upper part of the branches of a bit, and capable of being drawn tightly against the lower jaw of the horse.
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      He that before ran in the pastures wild
      Felt the stiff curb control his angry jaws.
      Drayton.

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      By these men, religion,that should be
      The curb, is made the spur of tyranny.
      Denham.

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    2. (Arch.) An assemblage of three or more pieces of timber, or a metal member, forming a frame around an opening, and serving to maintain the integrity of that opening; also, a ring of stone serving a similar purpose, as at the eye of a dome.
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    3. A frame or wall round the mouth of a well; also, a frame within a well to prevent the earth caving in.
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    4. A curbstone.
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    5. (Far.) A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness.
      James Law.

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      Curb bit, a stiff bit having branches by which a leverage is obtained upon the jaws of horse. Knight. -- Curb pins (Horology), the pins on the regulator which restrain the hairspring. -- Curb plate (Arch.), a plate serving the purpose of a curb. -- Deck curb. See under Deck.

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