All 9 Uses of
rein
in
Dracula
- Without a word he shook his reins, the horses turned, and we swept into the darkness of the pass.†
p. 17.3 *reins = a means of control -- most commonly the straps attached to a bit in a horse's mouth that are used to control it OR restrains or controls
- The driver again took his seat, and shaking his reins, started off at a great pace.†
p. 18.7
- As I stood, the driver jumped again into his seat and shook the reins.†
p. 21.6
- I find myself bolt up, with the reins in my hand, and the good horses go along jog, jog, just as ever.†
p. 387.5
- Instinctively they reined in, and at the instant Lord Godalming and Jonathan dashed up at one side and Dr. Seward and Mr. Morris on the other.†
p. 399.1reined in = restrained
- Seeing that they were surrounded the men tightened their reins and drew up.†
p. 399.4reins = a means of control -- most commonly the straps attached to a bit in a horse's mouth that are used to control it OR restrains or controls
- I suppose it is that sickness and weakness are selfish things and turn our inner eyes and sympathy on ourselves, whilst health and strength give love rein, and in thought and feeling he can wander where he wills.†
p. 137.2
- I give rein to them, and they go on so patient.†
p. 387.2
- The leader, with a quick movement of his rein, threw his horse out in front, and pointed first to the sun, now close down on the hill tops, and then to the castle, said something which I did not understand.†
p. 399.5
Definitions:
-
(1)
(rein as in: to rein in their activities) to restrain or control; or a means of controlThe meaning of rein depends upon its context. For example:
- "keep a tight rein on the new employee," or "rein in a horse" -- to control or restrain
- "give the new employee free rein," or "give the horse full rein" -- do not restrain
- "the reins of government" -- means of control
- "the reins of the horse" -- leather straps used with a bit to control a horse (You might like to think of other senses of rein as being figurative derivations from this sense.)
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
To "rein in" or to "keep a tight rein" is to restrain.
To "give free rein" is not to restrain (not to exercise control over)