Library / English Dictionary

CURB

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

Example:

his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper

Synonyms:

bridle; check; curb

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("curb" is a kind of...):

restraint (the act of controlling by restraining someone or something)

Derivation:

curb (place restrictions on)

curb (lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A stock exchange in New York

Synonyms:

American Stock Exchange; AMEX; Curb

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Instance hypernyms:

securities market; stock exchange; stock market (an exchange where security trading is conducted by professional stockbrokers)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter)

Synonyms:

curb; curbing; kerb

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("curb" is a kind of...):

edge (a sharp side formed by the intersection of two surfaces of an object)

Meronyms (parts of "curb"):

curbstone; kerbstone (a paving stone forming part of a curb)

Derivation:

curb (keep to the curb)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A horse's bit with an attached chain or strap to check the horse

Synonyms:

curb; curb bit

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("curb" is a kind of...):

bit (piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Place restrictions on

Example:

curtail drinking in school

Synonyms:

curb; curtail; cut back; restrict

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "curb" is one way to...):

circumscribe; confine to; limit (restrict or confine within limits)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "curb"):

abridge (lessen, diminish, or curtail)

immobilise; immobilize (cause to be unable to move)

ration (restrict the consumption of a relatively scarce commodity, as during war)

control; restrict (place under restrictions; limit access to by law)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

curb (the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Keep to the curb

Example:

curb your dogs

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "curb" is one way to...):

cumber; encumber; restrain (restrict (someone or something) so as to make free movement difficult)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

curb (an edge between a sidewalk and a roadway consisting of a line of curbstones (usually forming part of a gutter))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits

Example:

control your anger

Synonyms:

check; contain; control; curb; hold; hold in; moderate

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "curb" is one way to...):

hold back; keep; keep back; restrain (prevent the action or expression of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "curb"):

conquer; stamp down; subdue; suppress (bring under control by force or authority)

damp (restrain or discourage)

crucify; mortify; subdue (hold within limits and control)

abnegate; deny (deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure)

train (cause to grow in a certain way by tying and pruning it)

catch (check oneself during an action)

bate (moderate or restrain; lessen the force of)

thermostat (control the temperature with a thermostat)

counteract; countercheck (oppose or check by a counteraction)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

curb (the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess)

Credits

 Context examples: 

I freely forgive you, and I hope you'll curb your passions in future.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"What have you done anyway that a two-legged other animal should come along, break you to harness, curb all your natural proclivities, and make slave- beasts out of you?"

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Amid the droning of the wind there had come the stamping of a horse’s hoofs, and the long grind of a wheel as it rasped against the curb.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses’ hoofs and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the bell.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The current study involving retinitis pigmentosa underscores the notion that the complement system may in fact exacerbate or curb retinal degeneration depending on the context.

(Immune system can slow degenerative eye disease, National Institutes of Health)

Although the oldest, Jo had the least self-control, and had hard times trying to curb the fiery spirit which was continually getting her into trouble.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

You will find a small brougham waiting close to the curb, driven by a fellow with a heavy black cloak tipped at the collar with red.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

By the utmost self-violence I curbed the imperious voice of wretchedness, which sometimes desired to declare itself to the whole world, and my manners were calmer and more composed than they had ever been since my journey to the sea of ice.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

Well, this morning he had not gone ten paces down the road when two men came up behind him, threw a coat over his head, and bundled him into a cab that was beside the curb.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then, amid a mixture of groans and cheers, Professor Challenger's electric brougham slid from the curb, and I found myself walking under the silvery lights of Regent Street, full of thoughts of Gladys and of wonder as to my future.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)