REIN • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Rein

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/reɪn/ Listen

noun

Rein n.

1.

The strap of a bridle, fastened to the curb or snaffle on each side, by which the rider or driver governs the horse. "This knight laid hold upon his reyne."

2.

Hence, an instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing; government; restraint. "Let their eyes rove without rein."

To give rein, To give the rein to, to give license to; to leave withouut restrain.

To take the reins, to take the guidance or government; to assume control.

verb

Rein v. t. (past & past part. reined; pres. part. reining)

1.

To govern or direct with the reins; as, to rein a horse one way or another. "He mounts and reins his horse."

2.

To restrain; to control; to check. "Being once chafed, he can not Be reined again to temperance."

To rein in or To rein up,

(a)

to check the speed of, or cause to stop, by drawing the reins. Hence,

(a)

to cause (a person) to slow down or cease some activity; to rein in is used commonly of superiors in a chain of command, ordering a subordinate to moderate or cease some activity deemed excessive.

Rein v. i. To be guided by reins. (R.)

See images of 'Rein'

Etymology of 'Rein'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Rein" Quotes from Famous Books

... see us take to flight, so on observing our determined attitude they pulled rein. They stopped and watched us for some time; and then, apparently considering that the risk they would run of certainly losing two of their number, if not more, was not worth the object to be attained, they wheeled round and galloped off in the direction ...

— In the Rocky Mountains - A Tale of Adventure • W. H. G. Kingston

... washed off the dashboard and wheels. After that he fumbled along a dusty beam to find a bottle of oil with which he touched up the harness. But when all was done he shook his head. The buggy was hopeless. Nevertheless, when he climbed in and slapped Jinny's flank with the newly oiled rein he was careful to sit in the middle of the seat to make the springs truer, and he avoided the mud-puddles on the road up to the Stuffed Animal House. There were a good many puddles, for it had rained the day before. To-day the clouds had gathered up behind the hills into white domes, but ...

— The Awakening of Helena Richie • Margaret Deland

... o'clock exactly he drew rein again at Lamington. He was at once admitted, and was conducted to a room where the mistress of the house was sitting, and where beside her stood a very tall and powerfully built young man, with a singularly handsome face ...

— In Freedom's Cause • G. A. Henty

... in his mightiest hour A bauble held the pride of power, Spurned at the sordid lust of pelf, And served his Albion for herself; Who, when the frantic crowd amain Strained at subjection's bursting rein, O'er their wild mood full conquest gained, The pride he would not crush restrained, Showed their fierce zeal a worthier cause, And brought the freeman's arm to aid the ...

— Lyra Heroica - A Book of Verse for Boys • Various

... summed it all up in these words: "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity." He was rich and wise; he was a mighty king, and had great honors; but he lacked that good conscience that comes from a life well spent. He had not held back his heart from the enjoyment of any pleasure. He had given free rein to his desires. He had lived a life of ease and luxury. He had but to speak, and he was obeyed. But, alas! when he looked back, there was nothing in the scene to give him pleasure. It was only "vanity and ...

— Heart Talks • Charles Wesley Naylor

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