'Bridle' definitions:

Definition of 'bridle'

(from WordNet)
noun
Headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control
noun
The act of restraining power or action or limiting excess; "his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper" [syn: bridle, check, curb]
verb
Anger or take offense; "She bridled at his suggestion to elope"
verb
Put a bridle on; "bridle horses" [ant: unbridle]
verb
Respond to the reins, as of horses

Definition of 'Bridle'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. --Drake. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress; master; subdue. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Bridle'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus. --Tatler. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Bridle'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A restraint; a curb; a check. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: A check; restrain. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'bridle'

From: Easton
  • Bridle Three Hebrew words are thus rendered in the Authorized Version.
  • Heb. _mahsom'_ signifies a muzzle or halter or bridle, by which the rider governs his horse (Ps.39:1).
  • _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.
  • 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.

Synonyms of 'bridle'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Bridle'