Reins are the straps used to control a horse, and rein is the word used in the phrasesrein in (meaning to restrain or cause to stop) and free rein (meaning complete fr… See more

Rein can be a noun or a verb, and it can be literal or metaphorical. Its literal sense is usually plural—reins are the straps fastened to a horse’s (or other animal’s) headgear (… See more

As a verb, reign most commonly means “to rule with sovereign power or authority, like a king or queen does,” as inLlewellyn the Great reigned over Wales. As a noun, it can refer to the … See more

The G in reign is silent, but it’s a great way to remember that reign is most commonly used in the context of regal, or royal, power (or things likened to it—like the tenure of a powerful C… See more