Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BRIDLE, v. [brəidl]
1. “To rope a stack” (Sc. 1911 S.D.D.; Bnff.2 1936).
Combs.: (1) bridling rapes, “ropes which hold down the thatch on stacks. They are woven into the owrgaun anes, or those which are vertical over the concern, and are not rolled up like them when made, but twisted together in a longer shuttle form” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 92; w., s.Sc. 1887 Jam.6); (2) bridling-stane, one of the heavy stones used to weight the bridling-rapes and hold down thatch (Ork. 1915). Cf. Benlin, n.1.
2. “To shorten and stiffen a paint-brush” (Kcb.9 1936).
3. Of a sheep: to draw the neck back so that it cannot be relaxed again (see quot.). Slk. 1807 Hogg Shepherd's Guide 100:
If any of them [keds] are left there, the animal is in great danger of being bridled. This is occasioned by the animal's bending its neck extremely to claw its throat with its teeth. The teeth often fasten in the wool, so that it cannot disengage them.
