curb
Definitions
To hold back, restrain, or keep under control
抑制，控制，约束
A check or restraint on something
约束，限制
The raised stone or concrete edge of a street or pavement (BrE: kerb)
路缘石，马路牙子（英式拼作 kerb）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom Old French courbe (a bend), a variant of the curv root. It first named the 'curb chain' — a bent strap under a horse's jaw that checked the animal when the reins were pulled. That act of holding back became the verb (curb spending), and a separate concrete sense — the bounding edge of a street — followed the same idea of a containing edge.
Root curv still carries 3 more wordsWhy It Means This
The bridge from 'bend' to 'restrain' is the horse's curb chain. A bent strap under the jaw, tightened by the reins, physically checks the animal — so 'to curb' meant to rein in. English then dropped the horse and kept the restraint: you curb a habit, a budget, an impulse. The street curb is a separate development of the same 'bounding edge' image.
Usage Guide
Two spellings split by sense in British English: the verb 'restrain' and most senses are curb, but the street edge is kerb. American English uses curb for everything. As a verb, curb is slightly formal and common in news ('curb emissions,' 'curb spending').
Example Sentences
- 1.
The government introduced new measures to curb inflation.
- 2.
She tried to curb her impatience while waiting in line.
- 3.
He parked too close to the curb and scraped a tire.
- 4.
Strict rules act as a curb on reckless lending.
Easily Confused
curb vs kerb — Same word, split by British spelling: kerb is the street edge, curb is the verb 'to restrain' and the abstract noun. American English writes both as curb. curb vs curtail — both mean cut back, but curb is to hold within limits (ongoing control), curtail is to shorten or cut off (reduce in extent or duration).
Synonym Comparison
- curb — to hold within limits, keep in check
- restrain — to physically or forcefully hold back
- restrict — to set fixed limits or rules around something
- suppress — to forcibly put down or hold under
- check — to stop or slow the growth of something