different between bridle vs caparison

English

Etymology

From Middle English bridel, from Old English br?del, from Proto-Germanic *brigdilaz (“strap, rein”), equivalent to braid +? -le.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?b?a?d?l/
• Homophone: bridal
• Rhymes: -a?d?l

Noun

bridle (plural bridles)

1. The headgear with which a horse is directed and which carries a bit and reins.
   • 1961, J. A. Philip, "Mimesis in the Sophistês," Proceedings and Transactions of the American Philological Association 92, p. 457:

     […] the horseman, who is the user of bridles and knows their use

2. (figuratively) A restraint; a curb; a check.
   • 1729, Isaac Watts, The Doctrine of the Passions explain'd and improv'd

     Let wisdom put a bridle on them before they are grown head-strong and unruly

3. A length of line or cable attached to two parts of something to spread the force of a pull, as the rigging on a kite for attaching line.
4. A mooring hawser.
5. A piece in the interior of a gunlock which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
6. A gesture expressing pride or vanity.

Derived terms

• bridle path
• bridlewise
• scold's bridle

Translations

Verb

bridle (third-person singular simple present bridles, present participle bridling, simple past and past participle bridled)

1. (transitive) To put a bridle on.
   • 1835, Joseph Rodmand Drake, The Culprit Fay

     He bridled her mouth with a silkweed twist.

2. (transitive) To check, restrain, or control with, or as if with, a bridle; as in bridle your tongue.
   • 1796, Edmund Burke, Letters on a Regicide Peace

     Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel in her hands to bridle Switzerland, are in that consolidation.

3. (intransitive) To show hostility or resentment.

   Immigrant-rights and religious organizations bridled at the plan to favor highly skilled workers over relatives. (Houston Chronicle, 6/8/2007)

4. (intransitive) To hold up one's head proudly or affectedly.

Synonyms

• restrain

Derived terms

• unbridle

Translations

Anagrams

• birled

Middle English

Noun

bridle

1. Alternative form of bridel

English

Etymology

From Middle French caparaçon, from Old Spanish caparazón, from Old Occitan capairon.

Noun

caparison (plural caparisons)

1. The often ornamental coverings for an animal, especially a horse or an elephant.
2. Gay or rich clothing.

Translations

Verb

caparison (third-person singular simple present caparisons, present participle caparisoning, simple past and past participle caparisoned)

1. To dress up a horse or elephant with ornamental coverings.
   • 1593, Shakespeare, Richard III, Act 5, Scene 3.

     Come, bustle, bustle; caparison my horse

Further reading

• caparison on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• Sparacino, paranoics