refrain

1
[ ri-freyn ]
/ rɪˈfreɪn /

verb (used without object)

to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed by from): I refrained from telling him what I thought.

verb (used with object)

Archaic. to curb.

Origin of refrain

1
1300–50; Middle English refreinen < Old French refrener < Latin refrēnāre to bridle, equivalent to re- re- + frēn(um) bridle + -āre infinitive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM refrain

re·frain·er, noun re·frain·ment, noun un·re·frained, adjective un·re·frain·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH refrain

refrain restrain

Example sentences from the Web for refraining

British Dictionary definitions for refraining (1 of 2)

refrain 1
/ (rɪˈfreɪn) /

verb

(intr usually foll by from) to abstain (from action); forbear

Derived forms of refrain

refrainer, noun refrainment, noun

Word Origin for refrain

C14: from Latin refrēnāre to check with a bridle, from re- + frēnum a bridle

British Dictionary definitions for refraining (2 of 2)

refrain 2
/ (rɪˈfreɪn) /

noun

a regularly recurring melody, such as the chorus of a song
a much repeated saying or idea

Word Origin for refrain

C14: via Old French, ultimately from Latin refringere to break into pieces

Cultural definitions for refraining

refrain

In some pieces of verse, a set of words repeated at the end of each stanza.