Bowline bridle

Bridle Bri"dle, n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E. braid. Cf. {Bridoon}.] 1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages. [1913 Webster]

2. A restraint; a curb; a check. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]

3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc. [1913 Webster]

4. (Naut.) (a) 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. (b) A mooring hawser. [1913 Webster]

{Bowline bridle}. See under {Bowline}.

{Branches of a bridle}. See under {Branch}.

{Bridle cable} (Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle. See 4, above.

{Bridle hand}, the hand which holds the bridle in riding; the left hand.

{Bridle path}, {Bridle way}, a path or way for saddle horses and pack horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles.

{Bridle port} (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the bow through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are passed.

{Bridle rein}, a rein attached to the bit.

{Bridle road}. (a) Same as {Bridle path}. --Lowell. (b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback exercise.

{Bridle track}, a bridle path.

{Scolding bridle}. See {Branks}, 2. [1913 Webster]

Syn: A check; restrain. [1913 Webster]