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rein

Pronunciation: /ɹeɪn/

The English word “rein” has 7 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A strap or rope attached to a bridle or bit, used to control a horse, other animal or young child.
  2. An instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing.
  3. A kidney.
  4. The inward impulses; the affections and passions, formerly supposed to be located in the area of the kidneys.

verb

  1. To direct or stop a horse by using reins.
  2. To restrain; to control; to check.
  3. To obey directions given with the reins.

Etymology

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…

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.