REIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does rein mean? 

• REIN (noun)
  The noun REIN has 2 senses:

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

2. any means of control

  Familiarity information: REIN used as a noun is rare.

• REIN (verb)
  The verb REIN has 4 senses:

1. control and direct with or as if by reins

2. stop or slow up one's horse or oneself by or as if by pulling the reins

3. stop or check by or as if by a pull at the reins

4. keep in check

  Familiarity information: REIN used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• REIN (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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Context example:

he took up the reins of government

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

control (power to direct or determine)

Derivation:

rein (keep in check)

• REIN (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they rein    ... he / she / it reins   
Past simple: reined   
Past participle: reined   
-ing form: reining   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Control and direct with or as if by reins

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

draw rein; harness; rein; rein in

Context example:

rein a horse

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)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

rein; rein in

Context example:

They reined in in front of the post office

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 3

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

rein; rein in

Context example:

He reined in his horses in front of the post office

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 4

Meaning:

Keep in check

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

harness; rein; rule

Context example:

rule one's temper

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)

 Context examples 

The senseless body was thrown across the spare horse, the four sprang to their saddles, and away they thundered with loose reins and busy spurs through the swarming camp.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The driver again took his seat, and shaking his reins, started off at a great pace.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“Very good,” said my uncle, reining his mares round into the cross-road.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The reins were broken, but they had been dragging on the ground.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

As he grew silent, Bernard Higginbotham got the reins and did the talking.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

She used to practice mounting, holding the reins, and sitting straight on an old saddle in a tree.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Holmes threw the reins into my lap and sprang down from the cart.

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

There could be only the most proper alacrity, a most obliging compliance for public view; and smiles reined in and spirits dancing in private rapture.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Some years older than I, she knew more of the world, and could tell me many things I liked to hear: with her my curiosity found gratification: to my faults also she gave ample indulgence, never imposing curb or rein on anything I said.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

But now suppose as much as you choose; give a loose rein to your fancy, indulge your imagination in every possible flight which the subject will afford, and unless you believe me actually married, you cannot greatly err.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)