From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Curb \Curb\ (k[^u]rb), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Curbed (k[^u]rbd);
p. pr. & vb. n. Curbing.] [F. courber to bend, curve,
L.curvare, fr. curvus bent, curved; cf. Gr. kyrto`s curved.
Cf. Curve.]
1. To bend or curve. [Obs.]
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Crooked and curbed lines. --Holland.
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2. To guide and manage, or restrain, as with a curb; to bend
to one's will; to subject; to subdue; to restrain; to
confine; to keep in check.
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Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed.
--Milton.
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Where pinching want must curb thy warm desires.
--Prior.
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3. To furnish with a curb, as a well; also, to restrain by a
curb, as a bank of earth.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Curb \Curb\, v. i.
To bend; to crouch; to cringe. [Obs.]
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Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg,
Yea, curb and woo for leave to do him good. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Curb \Curb\, n.
1. That which curbs, restrains, or subdues; a check or
hindrance; esp., a chain or strap attached to the upper
part of the branches of a bit, and capable of being drawn
tightly against the lower jaw of the horse.
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He that before ran in the pastures wild
Felt the stiff curb control his angry jaws.
--Drayton.
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By these men, religion,that should be
The curb, is made the spur of tyranny. --Denham.
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2. (Arch.) An assemblage of three or more pieces of timber,
or a metal member, forming a frame around an opening, and
serving to maintain the integrity of that opening; also, a
ring of stone serving a similar purpose, as at the eye of
a dome.
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3. A frame or wall round the mouth of a well; also, a frame
within a well to prevent the earth caving in.
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4. A curbstone.
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5. (Far.) A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a
horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint,
generally causing lameness. --James Law.
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Curb bit, a stiff bit having branches by which a leverage
is obtained upon the jaws of horse. --Knight.
Curb pins (Horology), the pins on the regulator which
restrain the hairspring.
Curb plate (Arch.), a plate serving the purpose of a curb.