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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Bridle

Brī'dle, n.

noun

n. [A-S. bridel, O. H. Ger. britil, brittil, priddil, D. breidel, O. Fr. bridel, N. Fr. bride, It. predello, Pr., Sp., & Pg. brida.]

  1. An instrument with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a head-stall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages, according to its particular form and uses.
  2. A restraint; a curb; a check. Watts.
  3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun-lock, which covers and holds in place the tumbler and sear, being itself held by the screws on which they turn. See LOCK.
  4. (Naut.) A short piece of cable, attached to a swivel on a chain, laid in a harbor, and the upper end drawn into a ship and secured to the bitts. The use is to enable a ship, when moored, to veer with the wind and tide.

Bowline bridles, short legs or pieces of rope, running through iron thimbles, by which the bowline attaches to different places on the leech or edge of a large sail. Syn.—A check; restraint.

Brī'dle, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. BRIDLED; p. pr. & vb. n. BRIDLING.]

Sense 1. To put a bridle upon; as, to bridle a horse.

He bridled her mouth with a silk-weed twist. Drake.

Sense 2. To restrain, guide, or govern; to check, curb, or control; as, to bridle the passions. “To bridle a muse.” Pope.

Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation. Burke.

Bridle the excursions of youth. Dwight.

Synonyms—To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress; master; subdue.

Bri'dle, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; — often with up.

By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as smug Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus. Butler.

Backward flings

His bridling neck between his towering wings. Wordsworth.