Rein Meaning
/ɹeɪn/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child.
nounAn instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing.
Sentence Examples
Being a teacher, you must learn to keep a tight rein on your emotions.
She kept a tight rein on the purse strings.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The rider pulled the left ____ to steer the horse away from the obstacle.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The rider pulled on the ____ to slow the horse as they approached the narrow gate.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Let their eyes rove without rein."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"He mounts and reins his horse."
— [1611?], Homer, “(please specify |book=I to XXIV)”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., The Iliads of Homer Prince of Poets. […], London: […] Nathaniell Butter, →OCLC; republished as The Iliads of Homer, Prince of Poets, […], new edition, volume (please specify the book number), London: Charles Knight and Co., […], 1843, →OCLC:
"Being once chafed, he cannot / Be reined again to temperance."
— c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
"After an interval that he judged to have lasted twenty minutes, the bed began to shake with poorly reined sobs."
— 2001, Jonathan Franzen, The Corrections:
"She worked each horse at a walk, trot, and then a canter. The horses reined well and executed stops quickly."
— 2011, Marie Claire Peck, Rocking Horse Ranch, page 40:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The rider pulled the left ____ to steer the horse away from the obstacle.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The rider pulled on the ____ to slow the horse as they approached the narrow gate.