bridle

[ brahyd-l ]

noun

1. part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usually of a headstall, bit, and reins.
2. anything that restrains or curbs:

   His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper.

   Synonyms: check, governor

3. Machinery. a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a machine.
4. Nautical. a rope or chain secured at both ends to an object to be held, lifted, or towed, and itself held or lifted by a rope or chain secured at its center.
5. a raising up of the head, as in disdain.

verb (used with object)

, bri·dled, bri·dling.

1. to put a bridle on.
2. to control or hold back; restrain; curb.

   Synonyms: limit, restrict, inhibit, constrain, govern, check

verb (used without object)

, bri·dled, bri·dling.

1. to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.

   Synonyms: bristle

bridle

/ ˈbraɪdəl /

noun

1. a headgear for a horse, etc, consisting of a series of buckled straps and a metal mouthpiece (bit) by which the animal is controlled through the reins
2. something that curbs or restrains; check
3. a Y-shaped cable, rope, or chain, used for holding, towing, etc
4. machinery a device by which the motion of a component is limited, often in the form of a linkage or flange

verb

1. tr to put a bridle on (a horse, mule, etc)
2. intr (of a horse) to respond correctly to the pull of the reins
3. tr to restrain; curb

   he bridled his rage

4. introften foll byat to show anger, scorn, or indignation

Derived Forms

• ˈbridler, noun

Other Words From

• bridle·less adjective
• bridler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bridle¹

before 900; Middle English bridel, Old English brīdel for brigdels, equivalent to brigd- (variant stem of bregdan to braid ( def ) ) + -els noun suffix; akin to Dutch breidel, Old High German brittel

Word History and Origins

Origin of bridle¹

Old English brigdels ; related to bregdan to braid ¹, Old High German brittil , Middle Low German breidel

Example Sentences

His first incarnation as Celtic manager rarely saw his team come off the bridle.

From BBC

I rode with my hand clasped on the bridle and counted the lumps of tangled fur along my camel’s neck.

From Literature

Instead of answering, Jack jerked back on the magic bridle, commanding Samson to stop.

From Literature

Images of the two horses, one of which is black and the other white, wearing saddles and bridles, were circulating across social media.

From Seattle Times

“Consumers don’t want to purchase unless they’re seeing a 10% discount. … This is a serious improvement in the role that consumers play in bridling inflation.”

From Seattle Times