I. ˈrān noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English reine, rene, from Middle French rene, resne, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin retina, from Latin retinere to hold back — more at retain
1. : a line (as a leather strap) which is fastened to a bit on each side and through which a rider or driver exerts pressure on the bit for governing or guiding an animal (as a horse)
use of the rein … to lead the horse's head and neck to the right — Harry Disston
— usually used in plural
seize the reins from the grasp of the slumbering coachman — Thomas De Quincey
— see bridle illustration
2. : something held to resemble the rein of a horse: as
a. : a restraining influence : curb , check
let their eyes move without rein — John Milton
regulation … imposes reins on consumer credit — John Elliott
hold him under a tight rein in his youth — R.A.Hall b. 1911
b. : the controlling or guiding power : position of command
the reins of government … have been handed to men of one party — A.N.Holcombe
without the reins of patronage … the forces of party organization lack guidance — Gladwin Hill
3. : the part of a horse on which the reins exert leverage
a horse with a good rein has a well-sloped shoulder, rather long neck, and well-set head
•
- give rein to
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English reinen, from reine rein
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to fasten or tie up (as a horse) to something by means of reins
alight thy steed and rein his proud head to the saddlebow — Shakespeare
2. archaic : to provide with a rein
reined with gold his foaming steeds — Alexander Pope
3.
a. : to check or stop and hold by a pull at the reins : pull up by means of reins
cowboys reined their sweating ponies to a halt — J.C.MacDonald
— often used with back, in, or up
the squire … reined in his horse — T.B.Costain
b. : to put a check or restraint upon as if by the use of reins — often used with in or up
unable to rein in his impatience any longer — Vicki Baum
rein the tongue
tries hard to rein in his imagination — Kendall Smith
4.
a. : to control, direct, or turn with the reins
rein a horse to the left
they reined their horses through the chaparral — Underworld Detective
b. : to guide, manage, or govern as if by the use of reins
reined our conversation round to … future prospects — Joseph Furphy
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to submit or yield to the use of reins
will bear you easily and reins well — Shakespeare
2. : to move or pull in or as if in response to tightened reins — usually used with back, in, or up
3. : to stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins — often used with back, in, or up
cavalrymen reined up
reined in to a jog
rein back and take your places — J.H.Wheelwright
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Norwegian, from Old Norse hreinn — more at reindeer
: reindeer