curb

plural curbs · alternative UK kerb · alternative obsolete kirb

1. USA concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand).
2. USA raised margin along the edge of something, such as a well or the eye of a dome, as a strengthening.
3. USfigurativelySomething that checks or restrains; a restraint.

   The same also is that burning mention’d by S. Paul, whereof mariage ought to be the remedy; the Flesh hath other naturall and easie curbs which are in the power of any temperate man..

   1643, John Milton, Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce

   2 more examples

   Even by theſe Men, Religion, that ſhould be / The curb, is made the ſpur to tyranny: / They with their double key of conſcience bind / The Subjects ſouls, and leave Kings unconfin'd; […]

   1641 (first performance), [John Denham], The Sophy. […], 2nd edition, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for H[enry] Herringman, […], published 1667, →OCLC, Act IV, pages [44A]–45

   She maintains that the internet should face similar curbs to TV because young people are increasingly living online. "It's totally different, someone at Google watching the video from the comfort of their office in San Francisco to someone from a council house in London, where this video is happening right outside their front door."

   2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in The Guardian

4. USequestrianismA riding or driving bit for a horse that has rein action which amplifies the pressure in the mouth by leverage advantage placing pressure on the poll by means of the crown piece of the bridle and chin groove by means of a curb chain.

   He that before ran in the pastures wild / Felt the stiff curb controul his angry jaws.

   1605, Michael Drayton, The Fourth Eclogue

   1 more example

   Captain went out in the cab all the morning. Harry came in after school to feed me and give me water. In the afternoon I was put into the cab. Jerry took as much pains to see if the collar and bridle fitted comfortably, as if he had been John Manly over again. When the crupper was let out a hole or two, it all fitted well. There was no bearing rein—no curb—nothing but a plain ring snaffle. What a blessing that was!

   [1877], Anna Sewell, “A London Cab Horse”, in Black Beauty: […], London: Jarrold and Sons, […], →OCLC, part III, page 158

   Synonyms: curb bit

5. CanadaUSA sidewalk, covered or partially enclosed, bordering the airport terminal road system with adjacent paved areas to permit vehicles to off-load or load passengers.
6. USA swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness.

present singular third person curbs · participle present curbing · participle past curbed · past curbed · alternative UK kerb · alternative obsolete kirb

1. UStransitiveTo check, restrain or control.

   Curb your dog

   2 more examples

   Where pinching want must curb her warm desires.

   1718, Mat[thew] Prior, “Solomon on the Vanity of the World. A Poem in Three Books.”, in Poems on Several Occasions, London: […] Jacob Tonson […], and John Barber […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)

   But the village's growth was curbed by the cliffs that restricted onward exploration for visitors, while goods such as coal and lime, which had arrived by water, were being transported up the severe incline to the town of Lynton by horse and cart.

   2021 January 13, Dr Joseph Brennan, “Spectacular funiculars”, in RAIL, issue 922, page 53

   Synonyms: behedge, curtail, limit

2. UStransitiveTo rein in.
3. UStransitiveTo furnish (a well etc.) with a curb; to restrain (a bank of earth, etc.) by a curb.
4. USabbreviationellipsisslangtransitiveEllipsis of curb stomp.
5. UStransitiveTo bring to a stop beside a curb.

   As had become her habit, Jane rove past her destination and curbed the car on a side street a block and a half away.

   2017, Dean Koontz, The Silent Corner, page 34

6. UStransitiveTo damage vehicle wheels or tires by running into or over a pavement curb.
7. UStransitiveTo bend or curve.

   [B]y crooked and curbed lines, wee looke within the water; for our eie ſight doth bend and turne againe perforce, by reason that the matter of the water is more thicke; which is the cauſe, that we ſee the mariners oare in the ſea a farre off, as it were crooked.

   1603, Plutarch, “The Third Booke of Philosophers Opinions. Chap. V. Of the Rainbow.”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Philosophie, Commonlie Called, The Morals […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield, →OCLC, page 828

   Synonyms: bow, flex, incurvate, bend, bow, courb, curl, curve

8. USintransitiveTo crouch; to cringe.

   Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg, / Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good.

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]

   Synonyms: bend, fawn, stoop