Wiktionary

bridle

English

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a horse with a bridle

Etymology

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From Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel, from Proto-West Germanic *brigdil, from Proto-Germanic *brigdilaz (“strap, rein”), equivalent to braid +‎ -le.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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bridle (plural bridles)

  1. (equestrianism) The headgear with which a horse is directed and which carries a bit and reins.
    • 1961, J. A. Philip, “Mimesis in the Sophistês”, in Proceedings and Transactions of the American Philological Association, 92, p. 457:
      […] the horseman, who is the user of bridles and knows their use
  2. (figurative) A restraint; a curb; a check.
    • 1729, Isaac Watts, The Doctrine of the Passions explain'd and improv'd:
      Let wisdom put a bridle on them before they are grown head-strong and unruly
  3. A length of line or cable attached to two parts of something to spread the force of a pull, as the rigging on a kite for attaching line.
  4. A mooring hawser.
  5. A piece in the interior of a gunlock which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
  6. A gesture expressing pride or vanity.

Derived terms

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Translations

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Verb

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bridle (third-person singular simple present bridles, present participle bridling, simple past and past participle bridled)

  1. (transitive) To put a bridle on.
  2. (transitive) To check, restrain, or control with, or as if with, a bridle; as in bridle your tongue.
  3. (intransitive) To show hostility or resentment.
    Immigrant-rights and religious organizations bridled at the plan to favor highly skilled workers over relatives. (Houston Chronicle, 6/8/2007)
  4. (intransitive) To hold up one's head proudly or affectedly.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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Anagrams

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Middle English

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Noun

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bridle

  1. Alternative form of bridel
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