rein

CEFRC1

/ɹeɪn/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A strap used to control a horse.

  2. 02

    verb

    To control or limit something.

Examples

  • Being a teacher, you must learn to keep a tight rein on your emotions.

  • She kept a tight rein on the purse strings.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. An instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing.

  2. To direct or stop a horse by using reins.

  3. A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child.

More examples

In context

  • The government is attempting to keep a rein on rising prices.

  • He mounts and reins his horse.

  • Let their eyes rove without rein.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The rider pulled the left blank to steer the horse away from the obstacle.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From 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. Displaced native Old English brīdel (“bridle, rein”), Old English wealdleþer, ġewealdleþer (“rein, bridle”, literally “control strap”), Old English sāl (“cord, rein”), Old English tiġel (“rein”), and Old English lāttēh, lāttēh (“leash, rein”).