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DictionarybridleHorse headgear
noun / verb

bridle

BRY-dul/ˈbraɪdl/

Horse headgear used to direct and restrain movement.

The horse wears a correctly fitted leather bridle.

Chestnut horse head in profile wearing correctly arranged leather bridle: crownpiece behind ears, browband, cheekpieces, bit at mouth corners and reins attached to bit rings; no confusing halter-only straps.
Etymology
bridleOld Englishbridle; restraint

Old English bridel meant both a horse’s bridle and a restraint. Its relationship to bregdan, “move quickly, pull,” suggests the image of something pulled sharply to control the animal.

In context

Storytime Haven474:23
Then his friend lowered the bridle, and he managed to put it on the horse and attached a rope to it.
✨ The Man by Bram Stoker | A Tale of Love, Courage & Destiny 📖

More examples

  • The rider checked the bridle before mounting.
  • She bridled her anger before replying.
  • The rules helped bridle the company's power.

Forms

bridle · bridles · bridled · bridling

Similar words

halter
A halter is commonly used for leading or tying a horse; a bridle is riding headgear used for control.
reins
Reins are straps held by the rider; they attach to the bridle.