rein
part of speech
noun (a rein, reins); verb (rein, reins, reined, reining; usually «rein in»)
meaning for a pupil
1) Reins are the long straps fixed to a horse's bit, used by the rider or driver to guide it. tree →
2) (figurative) Control: «take the reins» (take charge), «give free rein» (let someone do as they like), «keep a tight rein on» (control closely). tree →
3) To rein in means to slow a horse down, or to control or limit something. tree →
4) Reins (UK) are also straps put on a toddler to keep them safe. tree →
5) To draw rein is to stop a horse by pulling on its reins. tree →
sense in the lessons
In stories, a horse's reins; Toad takes the reins of the caravan and the horse. In everyday life, a new captain «takes the reins». Safety: toddler reins near roads.
examples
- She held the reins tightly as the pony trotted. tree →
- Toad seized the reins and the horse bolted. tree →
- He reined in his horse at the gate. tree →
- The new head took the reins of the school. tree →
- The teacher gave us free rein to design the poster. tree →
- Mum kept a tight rein on our pocket money. tree →
- The toddler wore reins on the busy street. tree →
- For three days and three nights he never drew rein. tree →
note
Homophones: «rain» (water from clouds) and «reign» (to rule as a king). Rein = straps, rain = weather, reign = rule. «Free rein», not «free reign».
In the corpora
- And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
- I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel; yea, in the night seasons my reins instruct me.
- Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my reins and my heart.
- For my heart was in a ferment, and I was pricked in my reins.
- For Thou hast made my reins; Thou hast knit me together in my mother's womb.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «rein» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.