English
bridle
Pronunciation
  • IPA: /ˈbɹaɪdəl/
Noun

bridle (plural bridles)

  1. The headgear with which a horse is directed and which carries a bit and reins.
    • 1961, J. A. Philip, "Mimesis in the Sophistês," Proceedings and Transactions of the American Philological Association 92, p. 457:
      […] the horseman, who is the user of bridles and knows their use
  2. (figurative) A restraint; a curb; a check.
  3. 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.
  4. A mooring hawser.
  5. A piece in the interior of a gunlock which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
  6. A gesture expressing pride or vanity.
Translations Verb

bridle (bridles, present participle bridling; past and past participle bridled)

  1. (transitive) To put a bridle on.
    • He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist.
  2. (transitive) 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.
  3. (intransitive) 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)
  4. (intransitive) To hold up one's head proudly or affectedly.
Synonyms Translations Translations Translations
  • French: être susceptible, réagir de manière piquée
  • German: feindselig reagieren, abweisend reagieren, sich abweisend verhalten


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