Bridle \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

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 tumbler, 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bridle \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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)