5  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Bridle  \Bri"dle\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Bridled};  p.  pr  &  vb  n. 
  {Bridling}.] 
  1.  To  put  a  bridle  upon  to  equip  with  a  bridle;  as  to 
  bridle  a  horse. 
 
  He  bridled  her  mouth  with  a  silkweed  twist.  --Drake. 
 
  2.  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. 
 
  Savoy  and  Nice,  the  keys  of  Italy,  and  the  citadel 
  in  her  hands  to  bridle  Switzerland,  are  in  that 
  consolidation.  --Burke. 
 
  Syn:  To  check;  restrain;  curb;  govern;  control;  repress; 
  master;  subdue. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Bridle  \Bri"dle\,  n.  [OE.  bridel,  AS  bridel;  akin  to  OHG. 
  britil  brittil  D.  breidel  and  possibly  to  E.  braid.  Cf 
  {Bridoon}.] 
  1.  The  head  gear  with  which  a  horse  is  governed  and 
  restrained,  consisting  of  a  headstall,  a  bit,  and  reins, 
  with  other  appendages. 
 
  2.  A  restraint;  a  curb;  a  check.  --I.  Watts. 
 
  3.  (Gun.)  The  piece  in  the  interior  of  a  gun  lock,  which 
  holds  in  place  the  tumbler,  sear,  etc 
 
  4.  (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. 
 
  {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. 
 
  Syn:  A  check;  restrain. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Bridle  \Bri"dle\,  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. 
 
  By  her  bridling  up  I  perceived  she  expected  to  be 
  treated  hereafter  not  as  Jenny  Distaff,  but  Mrs. 
  Tranquillus  --Tatler. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  bridle 
  n  1:  headgear  for  a  horse;  includes  a  headstall  and  bit  and  reins 
  to  give  the  rider  or  driver  control 
  2:  the  act  of  restraining  power  or  action  or  limiting  excess; 
  "his  common  sense  is  a  bridle  to  his  quick  temper"  [syn:  {check}, 
  {curb}] 
  v  1:  put  a  bridle  on  "bridle  horses" 
  2:  respond  to  the  reins,  as  of  horses 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  Bridle 
  Three  Hebrew  words  are  thus  rendered  in  the  Authorized  Version. 
  (1.)  Heb.  _mahsom'_  signifies  a  muzzle  or  halter  or  bridle,  by 
  which  the  rider  governs  his  horse  (Ps.39:1). 
 
  (2.)  _Me'theg_,  rendered  also  bit"  in  Ps  32:9,  which  is  its 
  proper  meaning.  Found  in  2  Kings  19:28,  where  the  restraints  of 
  God's  providence  are  metaphorically  styled  his  bridle"  and 
  "hook."  God's  placing  a  "bridle  in  the  jaws  of  the  people"  (Isa. 
  30:28;  37:29)  signifies  his  preventing  the  Assyrians  from 
  carrying  out  their  purpose  against  Jerusalem. 
 
  (3.)  Another  word  _re'sen_,  was  employed  to  represent  a 
  halter  or  bridle-rein,  as  used  Ps  32:9;  Isa.  30:28.  In  Job 
  30:11  the  restraints  of  law  and  humanity  are  called  a  bridle. 
 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words