Restraining headgear left in grip of new wife (6)
I believe the answer is:
bridle
'restraining headgear' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'left in grip of new wife' is the wordplay.
'left' becomes 'l' (common abbreviation).
'in grip of' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'new wife' becomes 'bride'.
'l' inserted inside 'bride' is 'BRIDLE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for bridle that I've seen before include "Take offence" , "Check" , "a bit? That's part of it" , "Horse restraint" , "Become indignant" .)