from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bridle \Bri"dle\, n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG.
britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf.
{Bridoon}.]
1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and
restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins,
with other appendages.
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2. A restraint; a curb; a check. --I. Watts.
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3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which
holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
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4. (Naut.)
(a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends,
so that another rope, line, or chain may be attached
to its middle.
(b) A mooring hawser.
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{Bowline bridle}. See under {Bowline}.
{Branches of a bridle}. See under {Branch}.
{Bridle cable} (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle.
See 4, above.
{Bridle hand}, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the
left hand.
{Bridle path}, {Bridle way}, a path or way for saddle horses
and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for
vehicles.
{Bridle port} (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow
through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are
passed.
{Bridle rein}, a rein attached to the bit.
{Bridle road}.
(a) Same as {Bridle path}. --Lowell.
(b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback
exercise.
{Bridle track}, a bridle path.
{Scolding bridle}. See {Branks}, 2.
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Syn: A check; restrain.
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