reins

[ reynz ]

/ reɪnz /

plural noun

the kidneys.

the region of the kidneys, or the lower part of the back.

(especially in Biblical use) the seat of the feelings or affections, formerly identified with the kidneys.

Origin of reins

before 1000; Middle English reines, reenes < Old French reins; compare Old English (once) rēnys; both < Latin rēnēs kidneys, loins (plural); cf. renal

Words nearby reins

reinforcement therapy, reinforcer, reinhardt, reinhold, reinnervation, reins, reinsman, reinstall, reinstate, reinsurance, reinsure

Definition for reins (2 of 2)

rein

[ reyn ]

/ reɪn /

noun

Often reins. a leather strap, fastened to each end of the bit of a bridle, by which the rider or driver controls a horse or other animal by pulling so as to exert pressure on the bit.

any of certain other straps or thongs forming part of a harness, as a checkrein.

any means of curbing, controlling, or directing; check; restraint.

reins, the controlling or directing power: the reins of government.

verb (used with object)

to check or guide (a horse or other animal) by exerting pressure on a bridle bit by means of the reins.

to curb; restrain; control.

verb (used without object)

to obey the reins: a horse that reins well.

to rein a horse or other animal.

Origin of rein

1300–50; (noun) Middle English rene, reine, raine < Old French re(s)ne < Vulgar Latin *retina, noun derivative of Latin retinēre to hold back, retain; (v.) Middle English rainen, reinen, derivative of the noun

SYNONYMS FOR rein

6 check, bridle, limit.

OTHER WORDS FROM rein

rein·less, adjective un·reined, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rein

rain reign rein

Example sentences from the Web for reins

Two years later, he had released all Soviet dissidents from prison and was beginning to loosen the reins on Soviet bloc countries.

How the Fall of the Berlin Wall Radicalized Putin |Masha Gessen |November 9, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
She quickly rose through the ranks and was soon given the reins by Mays and Scott.

It Was All a Dream: Drama, Bullshit, and the Rebirth of The Source Magazine |Alex Suskind |October 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Louie Mueller handed the reins of the business to his son, Bobby, in 1974, and today it is run by Bobby's son, Wayne.

The Texas Church of Beef |Jane & Michael Stern |April 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Most obviously, “the anti-gay bullies who came before us” exercised the reins of power, either directly or indirectly.

In Gay Rights Fights, Bullies Love to Play the Victim |Tim Teeman |April 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

In 2008, super-fan-feminist turned comic book writer Gail Simone took the reins, and for a time, Wonder Woman flourished.

Wonder Woman Makes a Triumphant Comeback in a New Comic Series |Hugh Ryan |March 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Then the reins of mule and horse were twisted from his stiff fingers, and Kirby's drawl broke through the coughing.

Ride Proud, Rebel! |Andre Alice Norton
Harry became alarmed, and tried to take the reins out of my hands; but I resisted, and would not give them up.

Major Frank |A. L. G. Bosboom-Toussaint
The reins trailed on the ground and the rider's hands were gripping the mane.

The Sheriff of Badger |George B. Pattullo
A horse who is docile and prompt to obey can be guided hither and thither by the slightest movement of the reins.

L. Annaeus Seneca On Benefits |Seneca
If you have your driving-gloves on, and would like to take the reins over the next ten miles, you are welcome to do so.

Coaching, with Anecdotes of the Road |William Pitt Lennox

British Dictionary definitions for reins (1 of 2)

reins

/ (reɪnz) /

pl n

archaic the kidneys or loins

Word Origin for reins

C14: from Old French, from Latin rēnēs the kidneys

British Dictionary definitions for reins (2 of 2)

rein

/ (reɪn) /

noun

(often plural) one of a pair of long straps, usually connected together and made of leather, used to control a horse, running from the side of the bit or the headstall to the hand of the rider, driver, or trainer

a similar device used to control a very young child

any form or means of control to take up the reins of government

the direction in which a rider turns (in phrases such as on a left (or right) rein, change the rein)

something that restrains, controls, or guides

give free rein or give a free rein to allow considerable freedom; remove restraints

keep a tight rein on to control carefully; limit we have to keep a tight rein on expenditure

on a long rein with the reins held loosely so that the horse is relatively unconstrained

shorten the reins to take up the reins so that the distance between hand and bit is lessened, in order that the horse may be more collected

verb

(tr) to check, restrain, hold back, or halt with or as if with reins

to control or guide (a horse) with a rein or reins they reined left

Word Origin for rein

C13: from Old French resne, from Latin retinēre to hold back, from re- + tenēre to hold; see restrain

undefined rein

See reign

Medical definitions for reins

reins

[ rānz ]

pl.n.

The kidneys, loins, or lower back.

Idioms and Phrases with reins

rein

see draw in the reins; free hand (rein) tight rein on.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

reins

plural noun

Origin of reins

Words nearby reins

Definition for reins (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of rein

SYNONYMS FOR rein

OTHER WORDS FROM rein

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rein

Example sentences from the Web for reins

British Dictionary definitions for reins (1 of 2)

pl n

Word Origin for reins

British Dictionary definitions for reins (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for rein

undefined rein

Medical definitions for reins

pl.n.

Idioms and Phrases with reins

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

reins

plural noun

Origin of reins

Words nearby reins

Definition for reins (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of rein

SYNONYMS FOR rein

OTHER WORDS FROM rein

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rein

Words related to reins

Example sentences from the Web for reins

British Dictionary definitions for reins (1 of 2)

pl n

Word Origin for reins

British Dictionary definitions for reins (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for rein

undefined rein

Medical definitions for reins

pl.n.

Idioms and Phrases with reins