n. [ OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. Bridoon. ]
Bowline bridle.
Branches of a bridle.
Bridle cable (Naut.),
Bridle hand,
Bridle path,
Bridle way
Bridle port (Naut.),
Bridle rein,
Bridle road.
Bridle track,
Scolding bridle.
v. t.
He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist. Drake. [ 1913 Webster ]
Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
By her bridling up I perceived she expected to be treated hereafter not as Jenny Distaff, but Mrs. Tranquillus. Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ]
(Arch.) A strong flat bar of iron, so bent as to support, as in a stirrup, one end of a floor timber, etc., where no sufficient bearing can be had; -- called also
n. One who bridles; one who restrains and governs, as with a bridle. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]