† water-chainn.
Obsolete.
A chain inserted between the bit and the rein of a bridle, to prevent the rein from being rotted by water when the horse drinks.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > horse-gear > [noun] > halter or bridle > parts of
headstallc1330
trench1480
stalk1497
musrol1551
head-strain?1561
water-chain?1561
throat band1585
cavesson1598
mullen1598
nose bit?a1600
front-stall1601
ampyx1607
chain1607
fillet1607
cheek-band1611
cheekpiece1611
noseband1611
throat thong1611
headpiece1678
throatlatch1693
headband1704
trenchefil1730
bridoon1744
banquet1753
head1756
cheek1795
throat strap1803
frontlet1805
throat-lash1805
cheekstrap1834
brow-band1844
nosepiece1865
shank1879
?1561 T. Blundeville Newe Bk. Arte of Ryding iii. xxiii. sig. E.ii I haue not ben necligente in learning..how to cal every parte of the byt by his propre name, as..ye trench, the flappe, the top roll, & the water cheyne.
1611 J. Speed Hist. Great Brit. vii. xlv. 383/1 The remembrance of which field is retained vnto this day, by certaine small hilles there remaining, whence haue beene digged the bones of men, Armour, and the water-chaines of horse-bridles.
1704 Dict. Rusticum at Bit As to the several parts..: There are..11. The two Water Chains, or Water-Chain, and the nether Chain.
1853 H. Stephens Farmer's Guide II. 682/1 Besides a bridle with a curb-bar, to keep it in check, it should be provided with a stall-collar and water-chain, to fasten it at night in a stall.
1883 G. MacDonald Donal Grant vi. 141 ‘What do you know about horses?’ ‘Enough to know that you are not fair to him; and I will not let you strike the poor animal like that. Just look at this water-chain!’
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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n.?1561