1. (n.) The head gear with which a horse is controlled, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins\, with other appendages.

2. (n.) A restraint; a curb; a check.

3. (n.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.

4. (n.) 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.

5. (n.) A mooring hawser.

6. (v. t.) To put a bridle upon; to equip with a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.

7. (v. t.) 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.

8. (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.

Oregon boat anchor anger arrest back band backstrap bearing rein bed bed down bellyband bilbo bind bit blinders blinds boil over bond bonds break breeching bridle up bristle bristle up brush camisole caparison cavesson chain chains check checkrein cheekpiece chinband cinch collar condescend constrain contain control cool cool off crownband crupper cuffs curb curry currycomb curtail deal with decelerate dompt drench enchain enjoin entrammel fasten feed fetter flip out fodder gag gag swivel gentle get mad get sore girth govern groom guard gyve gyves hackamore halter hames hametugs hamper handcuff handcuffs handle harness headgear headstall hinder hip straps hitch hitch up hobble hobbles hog-tie hold hold at bay hold back hold down hold fast hold in hold in check hold in leash hold up hook up hopple hopples inhibit irons jaquima jerk line keep keep back keep from keep in keep in check keep under control lash lay under restraint leading strings leash lines litter make fast manacle manage martingale milk mince mince it moor muzzle noseband patronize peg down picket pillory pin down pinion pole strap prink prohibit pull pull in put in irons reach boiling point rein rein in reins repress restrain restraint restraints retard retrench ribbons rope rub down rule saddle secure see red set back shackle shaft tug side check simper slow down smirk snaffle snub stocks straightjacket strait-waistcoat straiten straitjacket stranglehold strap suppress surcingle tack tackle tame tend tether tie tie down tie up toss the head train trammel trammels trappings treat tug water winker braces withhold yoke