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—curbable, adj. —curbless, adj. —curblike, adj./kerrb/, n.1. a rim, esp. of joined stones or concrete, along a street or roadway, forming an edge for a sidewalk.2. anything that restrains or controls; a restraint; check.3. an enclosing framework or border.4. Also called curb bit. a bit used with a bridoon for control of a horse, to which a chain (curb chain) is hooked.5. Also called curb market; Brit., kerb market, kerbstone market. a market, originally on the sidewalk or street, for the sale of securities not listed on a stock exchange. Cf. American Stock Exchange.6. the framework around the top of a well.7. the arris between an upper and a lower slope on a gambrel or mansard roof.8. a belt of metal, masonry, etc., for abutting a dome at its base.9. (in a windmill) the track on which the cap turns.10. Vet. Pathol. a swelling on the lower part of the back of the hock of a horse, often causing lameness.11. Engin. the cutting edge at the bottom of a caisson.12. Carpentry. See purlin plate.v.t.13. to control as with a curb; restrain; check.14. to cause to keep near the curb: Curb your dog.15. to furnish with or protect by a curb.16. to put a curb on (a horse).[1250-1300; ME curb, courbe curved piece of wood (n.), stooped, hunchbacked (adj.) < AF curb, courb curved, bowed; OF < L curvus crooked, bent, curved. See CURVE]Ant. 13. encourage.
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Universalium. 2010.