REFRAIN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Refrain

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/rɪfrˈeɪn/ Listen

verb

Refrain v. t. (past & past part. refrained; pres. part. refraining)

To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern. "His reason refraineth not his foul delight or talent." "Refrain thy foot from their path."

To abstain from. (Obs.) "Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink."

Refrain v. i. To keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof; to forbear; to abstain. "Refrain from these men, and let them alone." "They refrained therefrom (eating flesh) some time after."

Synonyms: To hold back; forbear; abstain; withhold.

noun

Refrain n. The burden of a song; a phrase or verse which recurs at the end of each of the separate stanzas or divisions of a poetic composition. "We hear the wild refrain."

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Etymology of 'Refrain'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Refrain" Quotes from Famous Books

... to the Claytons to refrain from reporting the loss of the revolvers, or from repeating what the old sailor had told them—to ...

— Tarzan of the Apes • Edgar Rice Burroughs

... of his spasmodic and disjointed eloquence. In conclusion, he said: "In his youth man believes himself born to roll; the day comes when he experiences the necessity of being seated. I am seated; my seat is a little hard, but when I am tempted to murmur, I think of my mother and refrain." ...

— Samuel Brohl & Company • Victor Cherbuliez

... peering out at the partly opened drawing-room door, listening to what has been going on, can no longer refrain from coming forward to interfere. ...

— The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann - Volume I • Gerhart Hauptmann

... Trefoil, and after the ladies had left the room another neighbour of the other sex had hoped that he had had a pleasant time on the road. Again, in the drawing-room it had seemed to him that he was observed. He could not refrain from saying a few words to Arabella as she lay on the sofa. Not to do so after what had occurred would have been in itself peculiar. But when he did so, some other man who was near her made way for him, as though ...

— The American Senator • Anthony Trollope

... finds poor Edward in thy looks: Villain, I know thou com'st to murder me. Light. To murder you, my most gracious lord? Far is it from my heart to do you harm. The queen sent me to see how you were us'd, For she relents at this your misery: And what eye can refrain from shedding tears, To see a king in this most piteous state? K. Edw. Weep'st thou already? list a while to me, And then thy heart, were it as Gurney's is, Or as Matrevis', hewn from the Caucasus, Yet will it melt ere I have done my tale. This dungeon where ...

— Edward II. - Marlowe's Plays • Christopher Marlowe

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