/ kɜːb; NAmE kɜːrb/ verb , noun
■ verb
[ vn ] to control or limit sth, especially sth bad
SYN check :
He needs to learn to curb his temper.
A range of policies have been introduced aimed at curbing inflation.
■ noun
1.
curb (on sth) something that controls and puts limits on sth :
curbs on government spending
2.
( NAmE ) = kerb
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WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent. (denoting a strap fastened to the bit): from Old French courber bend, bow, from Latin curvare to bend, from curvus bent.