2 uses
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Definition
to restrain or control; or a means of control
The 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.)
- Seth had the reins, I was holding on for dear life, but we rode bareback all the time and we knew what we were doing.p. 607.3
- If the case settled now, his fees would be severely reined in.p. 307.5
There are no more uses of "rein" in Sycamore Row.
Typical Usage
(best examples)