curb

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curb 1 chain or strap passing under a horse's lower jaw and fastened to the bit. XV. Early forms co(u)rbe, prob. f. †co(u)rbe vb. bend, curve (XIV) — (O)F. courber :- L. curvāre CURVE.
Hence curb vb. put a curb on (a horse); restrain, check. XVI.

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