figurative and in figurative contexts: a restraint, curb, check, or means of control. Also as a mass noun: control, restraint, dominance.

A bridle, a rein. Also in extended use. Obsolete.

gen. A restraining force or influence; a means of restraining a person from a course of action, or of keeping a person under control.

A check or restraint on someone or something. Frequently with reference to religion or morality as sources of constraint on personal behaviour.

fig.

A restraining force; a means of restraint or prevention. Obsolete.

A method or means of restraint; something that serves as a restraint; a check.

figurative. Anything that curbs or restrains; a check, restraint.

figurative. A restraining or curbing hold; a power of check or restraint: esp. in to have a hank onor over any one. Now rare or dialect.

Something which constricts or confines.

Restraint, self-control. Cf. retenue, n. Obsolete. rare.

Any person or thing that checks, or acts as a stop or restraint.

figurative. That which controls, lets out, or restrains.

An apparatus for retarding the motion of a wheel by means of pressure applied to the circumference; usually consisting of a wooden block or an iron…

a brake for the wheel of a vehicle; in quot. figurative.

colloquial (originally U.S.). A table, an account; a check; esp. in to keep tabs (or a tab) on; also figurative (cf. tab, v. 2). Also, a bill or…

That which inhibits.

(a) a cord used to check action or movement, literal and figurative; spec. a long cord attached to the collar of a hunting dog to bring it to a…

In extended use: an object which constricts or confines a person or body part.

Psychology. A voluntary or involuntary restraint or check that prevents the direct expression of an instinctive impulse; also colloquial, in looser…