See also: Bridel

Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Inherited from Old English brīdel, from Proto-West Germanic *brigdil, from Proto-Germanic *brigdilaz; equivalent to breiden +‎ -el (agentive suffix).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

bridel (plural bridels)

  1. A bridle, reins, or bit; equipment for directing a horse.
    • a. 1382, John Wycliffe, “Psalm 32:9”, in Wycliffe's Bible:
      Nile ye be maad as an hors and mule; to whiche is noon vndurstondyng. Lord, constreyne thou the chekis of hem with a bernacle and bridil; that neiȝen not to thee.
      Don't behave like a horse or mule, who don't understand anything. Lord, you constrain the cheeks of them with a bit and a bridle, or they won't go to you.
  2. (figurative) Supervision, monitoring, constraint, direction.
  3. (figurative) Something that constrains or directs; a guideline.
  4. (rare) A strip or band of fabric.

Related terms edit

Descendants edit

  • English: bridle
  • Scots: bridle

References edit

Old English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Proto-Germanic *brigdilaz.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

brīdel m

  1. bridle

Declension edit

Descendants edit