First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1curb
noun \ˈkərb\
: a short border along the edge of a street that is usually made of stone or concrete
: something that controls or limits something else
Full Definition of CURB
1
: a bit that exerts severe pressure on a horse's jaws; also : the chain or strap attached to it — see bit illustration
2
: an enclosing frame, border, or edging
4
: a raised edge or margin to strengthen or confine
5
: an edging (as of concrete) built along a street to form part of a gutter
6
[from the fact that it originally transacted its business on the street] : a market for trading in securities not listed on a stock exchange
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Origin of CURB
Middle French courbe curve, curved piece of wood or iron, from courbe curved, from Latin curvus
Related to CURB
- Synonyms
- check, circumscription, condition, constraint, restriction, fetter, limitation, restraint, stricture
2curb
verb
: to control or limit (something)
Full Definition of CURB
transitive verb
1
: to furnish with a curb
2
: to check or control with or as if with a curb <trying to curb her curiosity>
3
: to lead (a dog) to a suitable place (as a gutter) for defecation
See curb defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CURB
1530
Related to CURB
Synonym Discussion of CURB
restrain, check, curb, bridle mean to hold back from or control in doing something. restrain suggests holding back by force or persuasion from acting or from going to extremes <restrained themselves from laughing>. check implies restraining or impeding a progress, activity, or impetus <trying to check government spending>. curb suggests an abrupt or drastic checking <learn to curb your appetite>. bridle implies keeping under control by subduing or holding in <bridle an impulse to throw the book down>.
CURB Defined for Kids
1curb
noun \ˈkərb\
Definition of CURB for Kids
1
: an enclosing border (as of stone or concrete) often along the edge of a street
2
: 1check 2 <a curb on rising prices>
2curb
verb
curbedcurb·ing
Definition of CURB for Kids
: to control or limit <curb spending> <This will curb your appetite.>
Medical Dictionary
curb
noun \ˈkərb\
Medical Definition of CURB
: a swelling on the back of the hind leg of a horse just behind the lowest part of the hock joint that is due to strain or rupture of the ligament and generally causes lameness
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