bridle

American  

[brahyd-l] / ˈbraɪd 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.

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verb (used with object)

bridled, bridling

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)

bridled, bridling

1. to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.

   Synonyms:

   bristle

bridle British  

/ 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

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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. to show anger, scorn, or indignation

Other Word Forms

• bridleless
  adjective
• bridler
  noun

Etymology

Origin of bridle

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

Explanation

When you're riding a horse and scream "Whoa!" to make it stop, you're pulling on the reins, which are attached to a thing called the bridle, the buckled straps around a horse's head that help you control its movements. The word bridle comes from the Old English bridel meaning "rein, curb, restraint," which is precisely what the purpose of a bridle is — to help restrain a horse's movements when necessary. You can bridle a horse, which is the act of putting a bridle on it. If you yank too hard on the reins, your horse might bridle, or take offense to your aggressiveness, just like you might bridle if someone insulted you.

Example Sentences

The “God’s Plan” and “Hotline Bling” emcee posted a video of murky water overtaking a room in his swanky Bridle Path mansion, quipping, “This better be Espresso Martini.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 17, 2024

The Canadian's house, in the ritzy Bridle Path neighbourhood of Toronto, is the subject of cover art for Lamar's song Not Like Us.

From BBC • May 7, 2024

Drake has previously referred to the location of his home, which he calls the Embassy, on tracks like “7AM on Bridle Path.”

From New York Times • May 7, 2024

And the Bridle Trails neighborhood is home to the second location of Pizzaiolo, a wood-fired pizza shop with specialty pies, calzones and salads.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 21, 2023

“Be moderate in your desires, Ophelia. Bridle your tongue, and lock up your chaste treasure,” Elnora warned.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein