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

The device uses a hand pump and tubing attached to the horse’s bridle to spray medicine near its nose.

From Science News For Students

The man’s grave included a leather bridle, a wooden horse bit and a battle ax.

From Science News For Students

A leather bridle, wooden horse bit and battle-ax that had been placed in his grave indicated he had been a horse-riding warrior.

From Science News

It has backpack straps and a couple well-placed pockets that hold smaller items, and it’s made from 600-denier ballistic nylon with bridle leather accents, giving it that classic Filson build quality that will last forever.

From Outside Online

If that’s the case, Drake’s track “7 am on Bridle Path” might be the closest thing to a confirmation of the rift that fans will get.

From Time

Israelis may bridle at the vision of a Palestinian state which looks like militias riding in on Jeeps and firing-off rifles.

From The Daily Beast

Bridle printed two years' worth of posts in a book, My Life in Tweets, through a self-publishing service.

From The Daily Beast

The retelling developed quite a following, Bridle not included.

From The Daily Beast

"I call you," the policeman said, and stripping the saddle and bridle from his sweaty horse, turned him loose to graze.

From Project Gutenberg

While the boy stood valiantly holding the bridle, an old Negro came up and pulled his sleeve.

From Project Gutenberg

For my name's sake I will remove my wrath far off: and for my praise I will bridle thee, lest thou shouldst perish.

From Project Gutenberg

A moment later the road led up a hill-side, and at the summit she caught his bridle and reined in.

From Project Gutenberg

Pulling the saddle loose, he cast it aside; then he removed the bridle and threw it after the saddle.

From Project Gutenberg