Bridle
Bri·dle
Bridle
n.
- The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages.
- A restraint; a curb; a check.
- The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc. (Gun.)
- 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. (Naut.)
Phrases & Compounds
- Bowline bridle
- See under Bowline.
- Branches of a bridle
- See under Branch.
- Bridle cable
- 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
- a path or way for saddle horses and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles.
- Bridle port
- 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
- Same as Bridle path.
- Bridle track
- a bridle path.
- Scolding bridle
- See Branks, 2.
Bridle
v. t.
imp. & p. p. Bridled; p. pr. & vb. n. Bridling
-
To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.
He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist.
-
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.
Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation.
Bridle
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.
By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus.