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Added 9 October 2026

bridle

/ˈbɹaɪdəl/ noun

In Latin: frēnum, aurea Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about bridle at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control.
The act of restraining power or action or limiting excess.
his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper

verb

Anger or take offense.
She bridled at his suggestion to elope
Put a bridle on.
bridle horses
Respond to the reins, as of horses.

Origin

From Middle English bridel, from Old English brīdel, from Proto-West Germanic *brigdil, from Proto-Germanic *brigdilaz (“strap, rein”), equivalent to braid + -le.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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