To give rein

To give rein
Rein Rein (r?n), n. [F. r[^e]ne, fr. (assumed) LL. retina, fr. L. retinere to hold back. See {Retain}.] 1. The strap of a bridle, fastened to the curb or snaffle on each side, by which the rider or driver governs the horse. [1913 Webster]

This knight laid hold upon his reyne. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, an instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing; government; restraint. ``Let their eyes rove without rein.'' --Milton. [1913 Webster]

{To give rein}, {To give the rein to}, to give license to; to leave withouut restrain.

{To take the reins}, to take the guidance or government; to assume control. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • give\ rein\ to — • give rein to • give free rein to v. phr. To remove all restrictions or limitations from someone or something. When she wrote her first mystery novel, the talented novelist gave rein to her imagination …   Словарь американских идиом

  • give rein — see ↑give line above. • • • Main Entry: ↑give …   Useful english dictionary

  • To give rein — Give Give (g[i^]v), v. t. [imp. {Gave} (g[=a]v); p. p. {Given} (g[i^]v n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Giving}.] [OE. given, yiven, yeven, AS. gifan, giefan; akin to D. geven, OS. ge[eth]an, OHG. geban, G. geben, Icel. gefa, Sw. gifva, Dan. give, Goth.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • give rein to — phrasal : to give freedom, unlimited scope, or full course to gave full rein to his mingled exasperation and boredom S.H.Adams the military forces given free rein to quell the rebellion Virginia Valentine giving free rein to his commanding… …   Useful english dictionary

  • give rein to — or[give free rein to] {v. phr.} To remove all restrictions or limitations from someone or something. * /When she wrote her first mystery novel, the talented novelist gave rein to her imagination./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • give rein to — or[give free rein to] {v. phr.} To remove all restrictions or limitations from someone or something. * /When she wrote her first mystery novel, the talented novelist gave rein to her imagination./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • give rein to — allow to move freely, allow to act without restraints, set free …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Rein — (r?n), n. [F. r[^e]ne, fr. (assumed) LL. retina, fr. L. retinere to hold back. See {Retain}.] 1. The strap of a bridle, fastened to the curb or snaffle on each side, by which the rider or driver governs the horse. [1913 Webster] This knight laid… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Give — (g[i^]v), v. t. [imp. {Gave} (g[=a]v); p. p. {Given} (g[i^]v n); p. pr. & vb. n. {Giving}.] [OE. given, yiven, yeven, AS. gifan, giefan; akin to D. geven, OS. ge[eth]an, OHG. geban, G. geben, Icel. gefa, Sw. gifva, Dan. give, Goth. giban. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • give\ free\ rein\ to — • give rein to • give free rein to v. phr. To remove all restrictions or limitations from someone or something. When she wrote her first mystery novel, the talented novelist gave rein to her imagination …   Словарь американских идиом

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