rein
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rein
a leather strap fastened to the bit of a bridle; a means of restraint: Rein in your anger.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
rein
(rān)n.
1. Either of two long narrow straps attached to each end of the bit of a bridle and used by a rider or driver to control a horse or other animal: The left rein slipped out of the driver's hands. The rider pulled on the reins, and the horse began to slow down.
2. A means of restraining or checking: kept a tight rein on expenditures.
3. often reins A means of controlling or directing: the reins of government.
v. reined, rein·ing, reins
v.tr.
1. To check or hold back by the use of reins. Often used with in or up: reined in the horse.
2. To restrain or control. Often used with in: "a team of strong personalities who would test the limits of prudence unless kept firmly reined in" (Tim Zimmerman).
v.intr.
Idioms: To control a horse, for example, with reins. Often used with in or up.
draw rein
To stop a horse, for example, by pulling on the reins.
draw in the reins
1. To slow down or stop a horse or other animal by putting pressure on the reins.
2. To restrain or control.
give free/full rein to
To release from restraints; allow to go unchecked: gave free rein to her emotions.
[Middle English, from Old French resne, reine, from Vulgar Latin *retina, from Latin retinēre, to retain; see retain.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
rein
(reɪn)n
1. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) (often plural) one of a pair of long straps, usually connected together and made of leather, used to control a horse, running from the side of the bit or the headstall to the hand of the rider, driver, or trainer
2. a similar device used to control a very young child
3. any form or means of control: to take up the reins of government.
4. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) the direction in which a rider turns (in phrases such as on a left (or right) rein, change the rein)
5. something that restrains, controls, or guides
6. give free rein give a free rein to allow considerable freedom; remove restraints
7. keep a tight rein on to control carefully; limit: we have to keep a tight rein on expenditure.
8. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) on a long rein with the reins held loosely so that the horse is relatively unconstrained
9. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) shorten the reins to take up the reins so that the distance between hand and bit is lessened, in order that the horse may be more collected
vb
10. (tr) to check, restrain, hold back, or halt with or as if with reins
11. (Horse Training, Riding & Manège) to control or guide (a horse) with a rein or reins: they reined left.
[C13: from Old French resne, from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold; see restrain]
Usage: See at reign
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
rein
(reɪn)n.
1. Often, reins. a leather strap fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal.
2. any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness.
3. a means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.
4. reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.
v.t. 5. to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.
6. to curb; restrain; control.
v.i. 7. to rein a horse or other animal.
8. to obey the reins.
Idioms: 1. draw rein, to curtail one's speed or progress; halt.
2. give (free) rein to, to give complete freedom to; indulge freely.
[1300–50; (n.) rene < OF re(s)ne < Vulgar Latin *retina, n. derivative of Latin retinēre to hold back, retain]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
rein
Past participle: reined
Gerund: reining
Imperative |
---|
rein |
rein |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | rein - one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse bearing rein, checkrein - a rein designed to keep the horse's head in the desired position bridle - headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control leading rein - rein to direct the horse's head left or right strap - an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position |
2. | rein - any means of control; "he took up the reins of government" control - power to direct or determine; "under control" | |
Verb | 1. | rein - control and direct with or as if by reins; "rein a horse" |
2. | rein - stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins; "They reined in in front of the post office" driving - the act of controlling and steering the movement of a vehicle or animal | |
3. | rein - stop or check by or as if by a pull at the reins; "He reined in his horses in front of the post office" pull - rein in to keep from winning a race; "pull a horse" stop - cause to stop; "stop a car"; "stop the thief" | |
4. | rein - keep in check; "rule one's temper" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
rein
noun
give (a) free rein to something or someone give a free hand (to), give carte blanche (to), give a blank cheque (to), remove restraints (from), indulge, let go, give way to, give (someone) his or her head They gave him a free rein with time to mould a decent side.
rein something in or back
1. check, control, limit, contain, master, curb, restrain, hold back, constrain, bridle, keep in check He promised the government would rein back inflation.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
rein
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
rein
[reɪn] N (usu pl) → rienda fthe reins of government (fig) → las riendas del gobierno
to draw rein → detenerse, tirar de la rienda (also fig)
to keep a tight rein on sb (fig) → refrenar a algn
we must keep a tight rein on expenditure → tenemos que restringir los gastos
to give sb free rein (fig) → dar rienda suelta a algn
rein back VT + ADV → refrenar
rein in
A. VT + ADV → refrenar
B. VI + ADV → detenerse
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
rein
(rein) noun1. (usually in plural) one of two straps attached to a bridle for guiding a horse. rienda
2. (in plural) straps fitted round a toddler so that he can be prevented from straying in the street etc. andadores
rein in to stop or restrain (a horse etc) by pulling on its reins. refrenar
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.