— reinless , adj.
/rayn/ , n.
1. Often, reins . a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit. See illus. under harness .
2. any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.
3. any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.
4. reins , the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.
5. draw rein , to curtail one's speed or progress; halt: The rider saw the snake and drew rein sharply.
6. give rein to , to give complete freedom to; indulge freely: to give rein to one's imagination. Also, give free rein to, give full rein to .
v.t.
7. to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.
8. to curb; restrain; control.
v.i.
9. to obey the reins: a horse that reins well.
10. to rein a horse or other animal.
[ 1300-50; (n.) ME rene, reine, raine re ( s ) ne retina, n. deriv. of L retinere to hold back, RETAIN; (v.) ME rainen, reinen, deriv. of the n. ]
Syn. 8. check, bridle, limit.