reins
reins Lexical Profile
reins Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The power to direct, govern, or control an organization, situation, or enterprise.
"After the founder retired, the new chief executive officially took the reins of the company."
A pair of long, narrow straps (usually made of leather) attached to a horse's bit and held by a rider or driver to guide and control the animal.
"The rider gently pulled back on the reins to bring the mare to a steady halt."
(archaic) The kidneys or the lower back region surrounding them, formerly regarded in biblical and literary usage as the seat of feelings and affections.
"In older translations of the Psalms, the heart and the reins are described as the innermost seats of human conscience."
• verb
To keep under control, restrain, or limit (often followed by 'in').
"The committee always reins in unnecessary spending before approving the annual budget."
To guide, check, or stop a horse by pulling on its straps.
"She skillfully reins her horse around the sharp turn in the arena."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'reins' (straps used to guide a horse or figurative control, as in 'take the reins') with its homophones 'reigns' (rules as a monarch) and 'rains' (precipitates).
• Rhymes for reins
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'reine', borrowed from Old French 'rene', ultimately from Vulgar Latin '*retina' (a restraining strap), derived from Latin 'retinere' (to hold back or retain).