— curbable , adj. — curbless , adj. — curblike , adj.
/kerrb/ , n.
1. a rim, esp. of joined stones or concrete, along a street or roadway, forming an edge for a sidewalk.
2. anything that restrains or controls; a restraint; check.
3. an enclosing framework or border.
4. Also called curb bit . a bit used with a bridoon for control of a horse, to which a chain (curb chain) is hooked.
5. Also called curb market; Brit., kerb market, kerbstone market . a market, originally on the sidewalk or street, for the sale of securities not listed on a stock exchange. Cf. American Stock Exchange .
6. the framework around the top of a well.
7. the arris between an upper and a lower slope on a gambrel or mansard roof.
8. a belt of metal, masonry, etc., for abutting a dome at its base.
9. (in a windmill) the track on which the cap turns.
10. Vet. Pathol. a swelling on the lower part of the back of the hock of a horse, often causing lameness.
11. Engin. the cutting edge at the bottom of a caisson.
12. Carpentry. See purlin plate .
v.t.
13. to control as with a curb; restrain; check.
14. to cause to keep near the curb: Curb your dog.
15. to furnish with or protect by a curb.
16. to put a curb on (a horse).
Also, Brit., kerb (for defs. 1, 15).
[ 1250-1300; ME curb, courbe curved piece of wood (n.), stooped, hunchbacked (adj.) curb, courb curved, bowed; OF curvus crooked, bent, curved. See CURVE ]
Syn. 13. bridle, repress. See check .
Ant. 13. encourage.