\Curb\ (k?rb), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Curbed} (k?rbd); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Curbing}.] [F. courber to bend, curve, L. curvare,
fr. curvus bent, curved; cf. Gr. ?????? curved. Cf. {Curve}.]
1. To bend or curve [Obs.]
         Crooked and curbed lines.             --Holland.
2. To guide and manage, or restrain, as with a curb; to bend
   to one's will; to subject; to subdue; to restrain; to
   confine; to keep in check.
         Part wield their arms, part curb the foaming steed.
                                               --Milton.
         Where pinching want must curbthy warm desires.
                                               --Prior.
3. To furnish wich a curb, as a well; also, to restrain by a
   curb, as a bank of earth.

\Curb\, v. i.
To bend; to crouch; to cringe. [Obs.]
      Virtue itself of vice must pardon beg, Yea, curb and
      woo for leave to do him good.            --Shak.

\Curb\, n.
1. That which curbs, restrains, or subdues; a check or
   hindrance; esp., a chain or strap attached to the upper
   part of the branches of a bit, and capable of being drawn
   tightly against the lower jaw of the horse.
         He that before ran in the pastures wild Felt the
         stiff curb control his angry jaws.    --Drayton.
         By these men, religion,that should be The curb, is
         made the spur of tyranny.             --Denham.
2. (Arch.) An assemblage of three or more pieces of timber,
   or a metal member, forming a frame around an opening, and
   serving to maintain the integrity of that opening; also, a
   ring of stone serving a similar purpose, as at the eye of
   a dome.
3. A frame or wall round the mouth of a well; also, a frame
   within a well to prevent the earth caving in.
4. A curbstone.
5. (Far.) A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a
   horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint,
   generally causing lameness. --James Law.
{Curb bit}, a stiff bit having branches by which a leverage
   is obtained upon the jaws of horse. --Knight.
{Curb pins} (Horology), the pins on the regulator which
   restrain the hairspring.
{Curb plate} (Arch.), a plate serving the purpose of a curb.
{Deck curb}. See under {Deck}.