— bridleless , adj. — bridler , n.
/bruyd"l/ , n. , v. , bridled, bridling .
n.
1. part of the tack or harness of a horse, consisting usually of a headstall, bit, and reins.
2. anything that restrains or curbs: His common sense is a bridle to his quick temper.
3. Mach. a link, flange, or other attachment for limiting the movement of any part of a machine.
4. Naut. a rope or chain secured at both ends to an object to be held, lifted, or towed, and itself held or lifted by a rope or chain secured at its center.
5. a raising up of the head, as in disdain.
v.t.
6. to put a bridle on.
7. to control or hold back; restrain; curb.
v.i.
8. to draw up the head and draw in the chin, as in disdain or resentment.
[ bef. 900; ME bridel, OE bridel for brigdels, equiv. to brigd- (var. s. of bregdan to BRAID 1 ) + -els n. suffix; akin to D breidel, OHG brittel ]
Syn. 2. governor. 2, 7 . check. 7. govern, constrain, inhibit, restrict, limit. 8. bristle.