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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Bridle \Bri"dle\, n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG.
britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf.
{Bridoon}.]
1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and
restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins,
with other appendages.
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2. A restraint; a curb; a check. --I. Watts.
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3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which
holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
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4. (Naut.)
(a) 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.
(b) A mooring hawser.
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{Bowline bridle}. See under {Bowline}.

{Branches of a bridle}. See under {Branch}.

{Bridle cable} (Naut.), 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}, {Bridle way}, a path or way for saddle horses
and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for
vehicles.

{Bridle port} (Naut.), 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}.
(a) Same as {Bridle path}. --Lowell.
(b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback
exercise.

{Bridle track}, a bridle path.

{Scolding bridle}. See {Branks}, 2.
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Syn: A check; restrain.
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Bridle \Bri"dle\, 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. "His bridling neck." --Wordsworth.
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By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be
treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs.
Tranquillus. --Tatler.
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Bridle \Bri"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bridled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Bridling}.]
1. To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to
bridle a horse.
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He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. --Drake.
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2. 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. --Addison.
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Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel
in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that
consolidation. --Burke.
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Syn: To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress;
master; subdue.
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