Sekirov Dictionary

bridle

/ˈbɹaɪdəl/

noun 6
verb 4
forms 5
phrases 1

noun6

•
The headgear with which a horse is directed and which carries a bit and reins.
- […] the horseman, who is the user of bridles and knows their use — 1961
•
(figurative) A restraint; a curb; a check.
- Let wisdom put a bridle on them before they are grown head-strong and unruly — 1729
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.
A mooring hawser.
A gesture expressing pride or vanity.
A piece in the interior of a gunlock which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.

verb4

•
To put a bridle on.
- He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. — 1835
•
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)
•
To check, restrain, or control with, or as if with, a bridle; as in bridle your tongue.
- Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation. — 1795
To hold up one's head proudly or affectedly.

forms

bridled · bridling · bridles · bridleth · bridlest

Phrases with bridle

bridle up
To show anger or indignation at something.

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