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
- (transitive, archaic) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something). from 14th c.
- Proverbs i:15.Refrain thy foot from their path.
- (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 ....
- (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.
- (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.
- (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") + frangÅ ("break"); compare Occitan refranhs ("a refrain"), refranher ("to repeat"). See refract and the verb refrain.