The instrument with which a horse is governed and restrained by a rider; consisting of a head-stall, a bit, and reins, with other appendages, according to its particular form and uses.

Arestraint; a curb; a check.

A short piece of cable well served, attached to a swivel on a chain, laid in a harbor, and the upper end drawn into a ship and secured to the bits. The use is to enable a ship, when moored, to veer with the wind and tide. Bowline bridles are short legs or pieces of rope, running through iron thimbles, by which the bowline attaches to different places on the leech or edge of a large sail .

To put on a bridle; as, to bridle a horse.

To restrain, guide or govern; to check, curb or control; as, to bridle the passions; “to bridle a muse.” . Bridle the excursions of youth.

To hold up the head, and draw in the chin.