Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A chain used as a check upon the motion of any moving piece of apparatus.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • Sam, the tall ostler, was polishing a curb-chain wit sand; the lantern at his feet letting up spouts of candle-light through the holes with which its conical roof was peppered.

    Lay Morals 2005

  • A sepoy brought the pony, and Flory pretended to examine the curb-chain.

    Burmese Days 2002

  • The clink of a curb-chain made him lie flat again.

    Sharpe's Prey Cornwell, Bernard, 1944- 2001

  • Often I have risen and walked firmly through the room or field, holding myself in as I would rein in a horse which was striving to break away in spite of curb-chain, bridle, or bit.1

    Behavior in Public Places ERVING GOFFMAN 1963

  • She wished her skirts were long enough to be held up languidly like the lady walking in front: the hand holding up the skirt had a golden curb-chain on the wrist which drooped down to the neatly gloved hand, and between each link of the chain was set a blue turquoise, and upon this jewel the sun danced splendidly.

    Mary, Mary James Stephens 1916

  • A little farther, and he caught the ring of a curb-chain.

    Rung Ho Mundy, Talbot, 1879-1940 1914

  • He wanted a golden chain, binding men to men the Anglo-Saxon world over, but a curb-chain nowhere.

    The Romance of a Pro-Consul Milne, James, 1865- 1911

  • He wanted a golden chain, binding men to men the Anglo-Saxon world over, but a curb-chain nowhere.

    The Romance of a Pro-Consul Being The Personal Life And Memoirs Of The Right Hon. Sir George Grey, K.C.B. James Milne 1908

  • "But yes -- by all means," she answered, with a lift of her head which suggested to Desmond a jerk on the curb-chain.

    The Great Amulet Maud Diver 1906

  • He had an enormous bit on; and I was glad to see a leather strap under the curb-chain.

    Margot Asquith, an Autobiography - Two Volumes in One Margot Asquith 1904

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