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   Bri·dle

   /ˈbrīd(ə)l/

   

   noun

   • 1. the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps to which a bit and reins are attached: "grooms came at once to take the bridles"
   • ▪ a line, rope, or device that is used to restrain or control the action or movement of something.
   • ▪ a length of rope, chain, or cable fastened at both ends to an object that is to be secured or moved or to a vessel that is to do the towing, a pull being exerted at the center of its length.

   verb

   • 1. put a bridle on (a horse): "five horses, saddled and bridled, were tied by the reins to branches of trees"
   • ▪ bring (something) under control; curb: "the fact that he was their servant bridled his tongue" Similar curbrestrainhold backbite backcontrolkeep control ofkeep in checkcheckkeep a tight rein onrein in/backgovernmasterrepresssuppresssubduestifleinformal:keep a/the lid on
   • 2. show one's resentment or anger, especially by throwing up the head and drawing in the chin: "ranchers have bridled at excessive federal control" Similar bristlebe/become indignanttake offensetake umbragebe affrontedbe offendedget angrydraw oneself upfeel one's hackles rise

   Word Origin Old Englishbrīdel (noun), brīdlian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch breidel (noun). bridle (sense 2 of the verb) use is from the action of a horse when reined in.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • B

     3

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • D

     2

   • L

     1

   • E

     1

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