Definition of CURB

curb

Plural: curbs

Noun

  • an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)
  • a horse's bit with an attached chain or strap to check the horse
  • a stock exchange in New York
  • the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
  • A concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand)
  • A raised margin along the edge of something, such as a well or the eye of a dome, as a strengthening.
  • Something that checks or restrains; a restraint.
  • A 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 via the crown piece of the bridle and chin groove via a curb chain.
  • A sidewalk, covered or partially enclosed, bordering the airport terminal road system with adjacent paved areas to permit vehicles to off-load or load passengers.
  • A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness.

Verb

Verb Forms: curbed, curbing, curbs

  • To restrain or control; to check.
  • lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
  • to put down by force or authority
  • keep to the curb
    • "curb your dogs"
  • place restrictions on
  • To check, restrain or control.
  • To rein in.
  • To furnish with a curb, as a well; to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth.
  • Ellipsis of curb stomp.
  • To bring to a stop beside a curb.
  • To damage vehicle wheels or tires by running into or over a pavement curb.
  • To bend or curve.
  • To crouch; to cringe.

Examples

  • Curb your dog
  • He had to CURB his excitement when he saw the potential for a bingo on his rack.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle French courbe (“curve, curved object”), from Latin curvus (“bent, crooked, curved”). Doublet of curve.

Synonyms

American Stock Exchange, AMEX, bridle, check, conquer, contain, control, curb bit, curbing, curtail, cut back, hold, hold in, inhibit, kerb, moderate, restrict, stamp down, subdue, suppress, behedge, bend, bind, bow, bury, chasten, cork, courb, crook, curb, curl, curve, dampen, fawn, flex, guard, hamshackle, hold back, hold down, incurvate, limit, repress, restrain, shackle, stay, stifle, stoop, stop, straiten, throttle, underbring, vanquish, withhold, withstrain

Scrabble Score: 8

curb: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
curb: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
curb: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

curb: valid Words With Friends Word