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.
2.
A restraint; a curb; a check.
I. Watts.
3. Gun.
The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the timbler, sear, etc.
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.
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.
Syn. -- A check; restrain.
© Webster 1913.
Bri"dle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bridled (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Bridling (#).]
1.
To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.
He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist.
Drake.
2.
To restrain, guide, or govern, with, or as with, a bridle; to check, curb, or control; as, to bridle the passions; to bridle a muse.
Addison.
Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation.
Burke.
Syn. -- To check; restrain; curb; govern; control; repress; master; subdue.
© Webster 1913.
Bri"dle, v. i.
To hold up the head, and draw in the chin, as an expression of pride, scorn, or resentment; to assume a lofty manner; -- usually with up.
"His bridling neck."
Wordsworth.
By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus.
Tatler.
© Webster 1913.