Library / English Dictionary

REIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

One of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("rein" is a kind of...):

strap (an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material) for binding things together or holding something in position)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "rein"):

bearing rein; checkrein (a rein designed to keep the horse's head in the desired position)

leading rein (rein to direct the horse's head left or right)

Holonyms ("rein" is a part of...):

bridle (headgear for a horse; includes a headstall and bit and reins to give the rider or driver control)

Derivation:

rein (stop or check by or as if by a pull at the reins)

rein (stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins)

rein (control and direct with or as if by reins)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Any means of control

Example:

he took up the reins of government

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("rein" is a kind of...):

control (power to direct or determine)

Derivation:

rein (keep in check)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Keep in check

Example:

rule one's temper

Synonyms:

harness; rein; rule

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "rein" is one way to...):

hold back; keep; keep back; restrain (prevent the action or expression of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

rein (any means of control)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Stop or check by or as if by a pull at the reins

Example:

He reined in his horses in front of the post office

Synonyms:

rein; rein in

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "rein" is one way to...):

stop (cause to stop)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "rein"):

pull (rein in to keep from winning a race)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

rein (one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins

Example:

They reined in in front of the post office

Synonyms:

rein; rein in

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "rein" is one way to...):

halt; stop (come to a halt, stop moving)

Domain category:

driving (the act of controlling and steering the movement of a vehicle or animal)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

rein (one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Control and direct with or as if by reins

Example:

rein a horse

Synonyms:

draw rein; harness; rein; rein in

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "rein" is one way to...):

command; control (exercise authoritative control or power over)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

rein (one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Catherine, delighted at so happy an escape, spoke her pleasure aloud with grateful surprise; and her companion immediately made the matter perfectly simple by assuring her that it was entirely owing to the peculiarly judicious manner in which he had then held the reins, and the singular discernment and dexterity with which he had directed his whip.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

Without a word he shook his reins, the horses turned, and we swept into the darkness of the Pass.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“Not so loudly, friend,” quoth the little knight, reining his horse half round to bar the path.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A swarm of ostlers and grooms had rushed out to us, and my uncle, throwing down the reins, gathered Fidelio on his cushion from under the seat.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“That ain't a sort of man to see sitting behind a coach-box, is it though?” said William in my ear, as he handled the reins.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

At the same instant an empty dog-cart, the horse cantering, the reins trailing, appeared round the curve of the road and rattled swiftly towards us.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But having given the rein to her lively fancy, it galloped away with her at a great pace, and common sense, being rather weakened by a long course of romance writing, did not come to the rescue.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

But by coolly giving the reins a better direction herself they happily passed the danger; and by once afterwards judiciously putting out her hand they neither fell into a rut, nor ran foul of a dung-cart; and Anne, with some amusement at their style of driving, which she imagined no bad representation of the general guidance of their affairs, found herself safely deposited by them at the Cottage.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

I have an inward treasure born with me, which can keep me alive if all extraneous delights should be withheld, or offered only at a price I cannot afford to give.' The forehead declares, 'Reason sits firm and holds the reins, and she will not let the feelings burst away and hurry her to wild chasms.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

I give rein to them, and they go on so patient.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)