bridge 
diameter. Through bridge. .Same a lnittn M .nad bridge: 
opposed t" dKk-bTidQt or <<,/'-''"<"' briit<jr.~ Top-road 
bridge, a bridge i" which tlie roadway la UIHIII m- aimvr 
tin' upper chord of the truss. Also culled drck-brulm-. 
Trussed-aroh bridge, an mvh, ii in ,mi ini.i^i uiih which 
ii lius, has been combined to stiffen or strengthen it. 
Tubular-arch bridge, a bridge in which the primary 
Tubular-arch Bridge, St. Louis, Missouri, 
supporting Illeluhrl ^;i re arrlird til lies.- - TUbUlaT bridge, 
a bridge tnrrniiiL;, ;is ;i \\lmle. a great hollow beam. It Is 
a box-beam, sufficiently lar^c to admit of the passage of 
vehicles through It. The first works of this kind were 
the Conway and Britannia railway bridges in Wales. The 
latter, over the Mcnai strait, opened in 1850, consists of 
two independent rectangular tubular beams of wrought- 
iron 1,511 feet long, with a single span of 450 feet. Hie 
Victoria tubular bridge over the St. Lawrence at Montreal 
Is about two miles long. Also called box-yirder bridge. 
Wheatstone's bridge. See renntaiux. 
bridge 1 (brij), <>. t. ; pret. and pp. bridged, ppr. 
bridging. [< ME. "bryggen (not found), < AS. 
brycgian (also in comp. ofer-brycgutn, bridge 
over) = MLG. brugi/en = OHG. briiecon, MHG. 
bracken, briickcn, dr. briickeii, bridge: cf. Icel. 
briia, bridge over; from the noun.] 1. To 
build a bridge or bridges on or over ; span with 
a bridge: as, to bridge a river. 2. To make a 
bridge or bridges for. 
Xerxes, . . . over Hellespont 
Bridging his way, Europe with Asia joln'd. 
Milton, V. L., x. 310. 
3. Figuratively, to span or get over; serve as 
or make a way of passing or overcoming : as, 
conversation bridged the intervals of the play ; 
to bridge over a difficulty. 
Every man's work, pursued steadily, tends in this way 
to become an end in itself, and so to bridge over the love- 
less chasms of life. George KIM. 
I cannot but think that there is room for all of us to 
work in helping to bridge over the great abyss of ignorance 
which lies at our feet. Uuxley, Lay Sermons, p. 71. 
bridge 2 *, v. t. [Also bredge, < ME. briggen, 
breggen, by apheresis for abriggen, abreggen, 
mod. E. abridge, q. v.] To shorten; abridge. 
Byreven man his helthe and his welfare, 
And his dayes briggen and schorte his lyf. 
Occleve, MS. Soc. Antiq., 134, fol. 251. (Halliwell.) 
bridge-bar (brij'biir), w. In a car-coupling, the 
bar carrying the load. 
bridge-board (brij'bord), n. One of the notched 
boards of a stair to which the ends of wooden 
steps and risers are fastened. Also called 
notch-board. 
bridge-deck (brij'dek), n. A bridge of spacious 
dimensions, forming a partial deck, extending 
from side to side of a vessel amidships. 
bridge-head (brij'hed), n. In fort., a work 
covering that end of a bridge which is most ex- 
posed to an enemy ; a tete-de-pont. 
bridge-islet (brij'i'let), . A portion of land 
which becomes insular at high water, as the isle 
of Lindisfarne in England. 
bridge-pit (brij 'pit), n. 1. 
That part of the moat of a 
fortified place which is be- 
neath the drawbridge when 
it is lowered. 2. A pit 
provided to receive the 
counterpoise of a bascule- 
bridge. 
bridge-rail (brij'ral), a. A 
railroad-rail having an 
arched tread and lateral 
foot-flanges. E. H. Knight. 
bridge-stone (brij'ston), n. A flat stone bridg- 
ing over a gutter or narrow span. 
bridge-tower (brij'tou'er), a. 1. A tower for 
the defense of a bridge, usually erected upon 
the bridge itself, the road passing through arch- 
ways in its lower story, which could be closed 
by gates. Bridges were commonly defended In this way 
in the middle ages, and many such towers remain, as at 
Cahors in France, and notably at Prague in Bohemia. 
2. Less properly, a tower defending the ap- 
proach to a bridge in the manner of a tete-de- 
pont. A notable Instance of such a tower is that at Villc- 
nenve, opposite Aviirnon, on the Rhone- 
bridge-train (brij'tran), n. Milit., a division 
of an army carrying the materials and imple- 
ments required for the passage of troops across 
a river; a pontoon-train. 
bridge-tree (brij'tre), a. A beam by %yhich the 
spindle of the runner in a grinding-mill is sup- 
ported. It can be adjusted so as to vary the 
relative distances of the grinding surfaces. 
Bridge-tower. Moldau Bridge, Prague, Bohemia. 
Bridgettine (brij'e-tin), . See Jirigitlinr. 
bridge-ward 1 (brij'ward), . [< ME. brigge- 
icard, < AS. bricgtccard, < brieg, bri/cg, bridge, 
+ tceard, ward, keeper.] The warden or keeper 
of a bridge. 
Those whose route lay along the river . . . summoned 
the Bridgetcartl, and demanded a free passage. 
Scott, Abbot, I. 175. 
bridge-ward'- (brij'ward), n. [< bridge + ward 
(of a key).] In locTusmithinq, the principal 
ward of a key, usually in the plane of rotation. 
bridgewater (brij'wa-ter), . A kind of broad- 
cloth manufactured in Bridgewater, England. 
1'lanche. 
bridging (brij'ing), n. [Verbal n. of bridge 1 , r.] 
In arch., a piece of wood placed between two 
beams or other pieces, to prevent them from 
approaching eacu other, single Milting has one 
pair of diagonal braces at the midlcngth of the joists. In 
double bridging there are two pairs of cross-braces divid- 
ing the joists into three lengths. More generally called 
a strutting- or straining-piece. E. H. Knight. 
bridging-floor (brij'ing-flpr), . In arch., a 
floor in which bridging-joists are used. 
bridging-joist (brij'ing-joist), H. In arch., a 
joist which is sustained below by transverse 
beams called bind- 
ing-joists; also, a 
joist which is nail- 
ed or fixed to the 
flooring-boards. 
Bridgittine (brij'- 
i-tin), n. See liri- 
gittine. 
bridgy (brij'i), a. 
- 
Bridge-rail. 
Full of bridges ; re- 
sembling a bridge. 
Sherwood. [Bare.] 
bridle (bri'di), H. [< 4. "/ i. Mois,;; J; ?SS? 
ME. bridel, < AS. 
bridel, also brideh = OFries. bridel = MD. breu- 
del, D. breidel = MLG. LG. breidel = OHG. bridel, 
britel, brittil, priddil, prittiL, MHG. bridel, britel 
( > OF. bridel = It. predella, a bridle, also in short 
form, Pr. Sp. Pg. brida = OF. and P. bride, a 
bridle, > E. bride*, q. v.), G. breidel, also britel, 
brittel; root unknown.] 1. That portion of 
the gear or harness of a horse (or other animal 
similarly used) which is fitted to its head, and 
by which it is governed and restrained, con- 
sisting usually of a head-stall, a bit, and reins, 
with other appendages, according to its par- 
ticular form and uses. See cut under harness. 
Mony of hem fide-men ther ben, 
That rennen by the brydeU of ladys shene. 
Babeei Book (E. E. T. S.), p. 320. 
And Manas, when with ivy bridle* bound, 
She led the spotted lynx. 
Dryden, tr. of Persius, Satires, i. 2O3. 
2. An old instrument of punishment and re- 
straint for scolds: a simpler form of the 
branks. 3. Figuratively, a restraint; a curb; 
a check. 
A continual bridle on the tongue. Watt. 
This fort is the bridle of the whole cittr, and was well 
stor'd and garrison'd with native Spanyards. 
Evelyn, Diary, Jan. 31, 1645. 
4. The piece in the interior of a gun-lock which 
covers and holds in place the tumbler and sear, 
being itself held by the screws on which they 
turn. See cut under gun-lock. 5. The piece 
brief 
on the end of a plow-beam to which tin- draft- 
nhackle is attached; the clevis. Also culled mu- 
sic or ji/inr-liiinl. 6. In nnnii., a link, flange, 
or other attachment for limiting the moven i n t 
of any part of a machine. 7. A'aut., a chain or 
rope span both ends of which are made fast, 
the strain or power being applied to the bight. 
8. In /nit/nit., a small baud attaching two 
parts to each other, as two serous surfaces after 
inflammation, or the sides of the urethra after 
urethritis, or stretched across a pustule or 
vesicle, modifying its shape. 9. In ant., a 
frenum (which see). Branches of a bridle. S* 
(wanr/i.- Mooring-brtdle(/KM/f. ), the chain ruble attach- 
ed t-i itenniiiiriit iii'wirintiH.- To bite on the bridle', to 
suffer great hardships. ItmrT. 
bridle (bri'dl), r.\ pret. and pp. bridled, ppr. 
bridling. [ < .M I-:, liriilti-n, bridelen, < A8. ge- 
bridlian (= MD. breydelen, D. breidelen = OHG. 
briltilfiH, MHG. briteln, pritteln, G. breidelen, 
briteln, britteln), bridle, restrain, < bridel, bri- 
dle.] I. trans. 1. To put a bridle on: as, to 
bridle a horse. 
Where steeds run arow, 
I have seen from their bridled lips 
Foam blown as the snow. 
Swinfmnu, A Lamentation. 
2. To restrain, guide, or govern ; check, curb, 
or control : as, to bridle the passions. 
Savoy and Nice, the keys of Italy, and the citadel In her 
hands to bridle .Switzerland. Burkr. 
Oft his smooth and bridled tongue 
Would give the lie to his Hushing cheek. 
SheUry, Rosalind and llelen. 
Syn. 2. To repress, master, sulnlue. 
n. intrans. To hold the head up, in the 
manner of a spirited horse under a strong rein, 
especially as an expression of pride, scorn, or 
resentment; assume a lofty manner so as to 
assert one's dignity or express indignation; 
toss the head ; strut : generally with up. 
Gave a crack with her fan like a coach-whip, and bridtd 
out of the room with the air and complexion of an incens'd 
Turkey-Cock. Gibber, Careless Husband, 11. 2. 
Assure a lady . . . that she looks killing to-day, she In- 
stantly bridles up, and feels the force of the well-timed 
flattery the whole day after. QMtmith, The Bee, No. 5. 
How would she have bridled had she known that . . . 
(she] only shared his meditations 1 
Barhttm, Ingoldsby Legends, I. 22. 
If you charge them with any particular sin, they bridle 
up and deny that sin fiercely enough. Kinydey. 
bridle-chains (bri'dl-chanz), . pi. In mining, 
short chains by which the cage is attached to 
the hoisting-rope. 
bridle-hand (bri'dl-hand), u. The hand which 
holds the bridle in riding; the left hand. Scott. 
bridle-path (bri'dl-path), n. A path which is 
wide enough to be traveled on horseback, but 
not in a carriage. Also bridleway. 
bridle-port (bri'dl-port), H. Xatit., the forward 
port on the gun-deck of a frigate. 
bridler (brid'ler), n. One who bridles; one 
who restrains or governs. 
The prelates Imast themselves the only ftn'rffer* of schism. 
Milton, (.'hurch-Oovernment, I. 7. 
bridle-rein (bri'dl-ran), n. [< ME. bridilreyne 
(equiv. to AS. bridel-thtcang, lit. bridle-thong); 
< bridle + rein.'} A rein uniting a bit with 
some other part of the harness, or leading to 
the hand of the rider or driver. 
bridle-road (bri'dl-rod), n. A bridle-path. 
bridle-rod (bri'dl-rod), . One of the elements 
of a parallel motion, as on the steam-engine. 
bridle-Stricture (bri'dl-strik'tnr), . In pathol., 
a stricture formed by a band crossing the ure- 
thral passage. 
bridleway (bri'dl-wa), n. A bridle-path. 
bridle-wise (bri'dl-wiz), a. Trained to obey 
the bridle : applied to a horse which is guided 
by pressure of the bridle against his neck in- 
stead of by pulling on the bit. 
bridoon (bri-do'n'). n. [< F. bridon, < bride, a 
bridle : see bridle.'} A light snaffle or bit of a 
bridle used in addition to the principal bit, and 
with a separate rein. Also spelled bradoon. 
brief (bref), n. and n. [I. a. < ME. breef, brrf, 
< OF. brrf. brief, F. brr f= Pr. breii = Sp. Pg. ft. 
breve, < L. frrma=Gr. /Jpajif, short; ft.abbreri- 
ate, abridge, brerity, brevet, etc., brachygraphy, 
etc. II. n. < ME. breef, brefe, bref, a commis- 
sion, writing, etc., < OF. bref, brief, F. brrf = 
Pr. breu, brieti = Sp. Pg. It. brere = OS. brrf = 
D. brief = LG. bref = OHG. briaf, brief, MHG. 
G. brief = Sw. bref = Dan. brev, a letter, etc., < 
L. brevis (sc. libelltis, a little writing), or neut. 
breve, a short writing (see also brere and brevet ), 
< brevis, neut. breve, short: see above.] L o. 
1 . Small with respect to length ; short. 
