rein
A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or…A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child.
» Tom took over the reins.
CK · Tatoeba · CC BY 2.0 FRMeaning
4 sensesA strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child.
Zügel
по́водpóvod, пово́дьяpovódʹja, бразды́brazdý
по́відpóvid, ві́жкаvížka
one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
(figuratively)An instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing.
The government is attempting to keep a rein on rising prices.
any means of control
The inward impulses; the affections and passions, formerly supposed to be located in the area of the kidneys.
(archaic, plural)A kidney.
Examples
25 sentencesTom took over the reins.
Try out my reins and my heart.
dePrüfe mich auf Herz und Nieren! — Tamy
Yanni gave his daughter a free rein.
Golden reins do not make a better horse.
Yanni kept a tight rein on his assets.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
From Middle English rein, reyne, from Anglo-Norman reyne, resne, from Early Medieval LatinFrom Middle English rein, reyne, from Anglo-Norman reyne, resne, from Early Medieval Latin retina, ultimately from Classical Latin retineō (“hold back”), from re- + teneō (“keep, hold”). Compare modern French rêne.
From Anglo-Norman reines, Middle French reins, and their source, Latin rēnēs. Doublet of ren.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Dictionary text adapted from Wiktionary (Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet / Princeton WordNet (CC BY 4.0, WordNet License); shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences and recordings are credited where they appear.