• Refrain

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/
    • Rhymes: -eɪn

    Origin 1

    From a combination of Anglo-Norman refraindre, Middle French refreindre (from Latin refrangere), and Anglo-Norman refrener, Middle French refrener (from Latin refrenare).

    Full definition of refrain

    Verb

    1. (transitive, archaic) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something). from 14th c.
      • Proverbs i:15.Refrain thy foot from their path.
    2. (reflexive, archaic) To show restraint; to hold oneself back. from 14th c.
      • 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts V:And nowe I saye unto you: refrayne youreselves from these men, and let them alone ....
    3. (transitive, now rare) To repress (a desire, emotion etc.); to check or curb. from 14th c.
      • Geoffrey_Chaucerhis reson aperceyueth it wel that it is synne
        agayns the lawe of god
        and yet his reson
        refreyneth nat his foul delit or talent.
      • Bible, Proverbs i. 15Refrain thy foot from their path.
    4. (intransitive) To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain. from 15th c.
      • Bible, Acts v. 38Refrain from these men, and let them alone.
      • Sir Thomas BrowneThey refrained therefrom flesh some time after.
    5. (transitive, now rare, regional) To abstain from (food or drink). from 16th c.
      • Thomas BrowneWho, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink.

    Origin 2

    From French refrain, from the Old French verb refraindre ("to break off, repeat"), from Latin re- ("back, again") + frangō ("break"); compare Occitan refranhs ("a refrain"), refranher ("to repeat"). See refract and the verb refrain.

    Noun

    refrain

    (plural refrains)
    1. The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza.We hear the wild refrain. Whittier.

    Anagrams

    © Wiktionary