curb
UK: kɜːb | US: kɜːrb
n. 1. A raised edge or barrier (e.g., a stone curb along a sidewalk).
n. 2. A restraint or check on something (e.g., curbing inflation).
vt. 1. To restrain or keep in check (e.g., curbing one’s enthusiasm).
The word "curb" traces back to Old French courbe (meaning "bend" or "curve"), derived from Latin curvus (bent). Originally, it referred to a curved strap used to restrain a horse (a "curb bit"), which later extended metaphorically to mean any form of restraint. The physical sense of a "raised edge" (e.g., sidewalk curb) emerged from the idea of a boundary that "holds back" or confines.
The city installed new curbs to improve pedestrian safety.
Higher taxes are needed to curb excessive spending.
She struggled to curb her anger during the debate.
The horse resisted the rider’s curb on its movement.
Environmental policies aim to curb carbon emissions.