curb

The word “curb” means the raised edge of a sidewalk or pavement bordering a street. In plain terms, either the edge of a pavement, or, as a verb, to hold something back or limit it.

“Curb” is pronounced kurb (/kɝb/ in IPA).

Here is “curb” used in a sentence: “He parked the car close to the curb.”

Depending on how it is used, “curb” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “curb” comes from Latin. From Middle French courbe, "curved object," from Latin curvus, "bent, curved" — making it a doublet of "curve.".

“Curb” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Curb” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the raised edge of a sidewalk or pavement bordering a street.

Curb and kerb refer to the same raised edge of a sidewalk bordering a street; curb is the standard American spelling, while kerb is the standard British spelling. The verb meaning to control or restrain is spelled curb in both varieties of English.

Curb and restrain both mean to hold something in check, but curb often suggests limiting something to a more moderate or acceptable level, such as curbing spending, while restrain more broadly means to physically or forcefully hold something back.

To curb your enthusiasm means to hold back or moderate your excitement, using curb in its verb sense of controlling or restraining something. It suggests tempering a strong feeling rather than eliminating it entirely.

No, curb is also used more broadly as a noun for anything that restrains or holds something in check, and as a verb meaning to control or restrain, such as curbing inflation or curbing a habit.