2. To open or make a passage, as by a bridge.
Xerxes . . . over Hellespont
Bridging his way, Europe with Asia joined.
Milton.
3. To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; — generally with over.
Bridgeboard
(Bridge"board`) n.
1. (Arch.) A notched board to which the treads and risers of the steps of wooden stairs are fastened.
2. A board or plank used as a bridge.
Bridgehead
(Bridge"head`) n. A fortification commanding the extremity of a bridge nearest the enemy,
to insure the preservation and usefulness of the bridge, and prevent the enemy from crossing; a tête-de-
pont.
Bridgeless
(Bridge"less), a. Having no bridge; not bridged.
Bridgepot
(Bridge"pot`) n. (Mining) The adjustable socket, or step, of a millstone spindle. Knight.
Bridgetree
(Bridge"tree`) n. [Bridge + tree a beam.] (Mining) The beam which supports the spindle
socket of the runner in a grinding mill. Knight.
Bridge-ward
(Bridge"-ward`) n.
1. A bridge keeper; a warden or a guard for a bridge. [Obs.] Sir W. Scott.
2. The principal ward of a key. Knight.
Bridging
(Bridg"ing) n. (Arch.) The system of bracing used between floor or other timbers to distribute
the weight.
Bridging joist. Same as Binding joist.
Bridgy
(Bridg"y) a. Full of bridges. [R.] Sherwood.
Bridle
(Bri"dle) n. [OE. bridel, AS. bridel; akin to OHG. britil, brittil, D. breidel, and possibly to E.
braid. Cf. Bridoon.]
1. The head gear with which a horse is governed and restrained, consisting of a headstall, a bit, and
reins, with other appendages.
2. A restraint; a curb; a check. I. Watts.
3. (Gun.) The piece in the interior of a gun lock, which holds in place the tumbler, sear, etc.
4. (Naut.) (a) A span of rope, line, or chain made fast as both ends, so that another rope, line, or
chain may be attached to its middle. (b) A mooring hawser.
Bowline bridle. See under Bowline. — Branches of a bridle. See under Branch. - - Bridle cable
(Naut.), a cable which is bent to a bridle. See 4, above. — Bridle hand, the hand which holds the
bridle in riding; the left hand. — Bridle path, Bridle way, a path or way for saddle horses and pack
horses, as distinguished from a road for vehicles. — Bridle port (Naut.), a porthole or opening in the
bow through which hawsers, mooring or bridle cables, etc., are passed. — Bridle rein, a rein attached
to the bit. — Bridle road. (a) Same as Bridle path. Lowell. (b) A road in a pleasure park reserved
for horseback exercise. — Bridle track, a bridle path. - - Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2.
