bridle

bridle
\ \ [OE] The Old English word was brīdel, which came from the same source (Germanic *bregd-) as braid. The basic meaning element of this was something like ‘pull or twitch jerkily from side to side’, so the application to bridle, which one pulls on with reins to one side or the other to control the horse’s direction, is fairly clear. The metaphorical verbal sense ‘take offence’ dates from the 18th century.
\ \ Cf.BRAID

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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. [1913 Webster] He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. Drake. [1913 Webster] 2. To restrain, guide,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bridle — [brīd′ l] n. [ME & OE bridel < bregdan, move quickly: see BRAID] 1. a head harness for guiding a horse: it consists of headstall, bit, and reins 2. anything resembling a horse s bridle 3. anything that controls or restrains 4. FRENUM 5 …   English World dictionary

  • bridle — [n] restraining device check, control, curb, deterrent, hackamore, halter, headstall, leash, rein, restraint, trammels; concept 497 bridle [v] check, hold back constrain, control, curb, govern, inhibit, keep in check, master, moderate, repress,… …   New thesaurus

  • bridle — ► NOUN ▪ the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps to which a bit and reins are attached. ► VERB 1) put a bridle on. 2) bring under control. 3) show resentment or anger. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • 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. [1913 Webster] By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bridle — index bar (hinder), block, clog, constrain (imprison), constrain (restrain), contain ( …   Law dictionary

  • bridle — vb 1 check, curb, *restrain, inhibit Analogous words: repress, *suppress: *govern, rule: control, direct, manage (see CONDUCT) Antonyms: vent Contrasted words: *express …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Bridle — A bridle is a piece of equipment used to control a horse. The bridle fits over a horse s head, and has the purpose of controlling the horse. It holds a bit in the horse s mouth. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, a bridle includes a… …   Wikipedia

  • bridle — {{11}}bridle (n.) O.E. bridel bridle, rein, curb, restraint, related to bregdan move quickly, from P.Gmc. *bregdilaz (see BRAID (Cf. braid) (v.)). {{12}}bridle (v.) to control, dominate, c.1200, from O.E. bridlian to fit with a bridle, from… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Bridle —    Three Hebrew words are thus rendered in the Authorized Version.    1) Heb. mahsom signifies a muzzle or halter or bridle, by which the rider governs his horse (Ps. 39:1).    2) Me theg, rendered also bit in Ps. 32:9, which is its proper… …   Easton's Bible Dictionary

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