RESTRAIN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Restrain

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/ristrˈeɪn/ Listen

verb

Restrain v. t. (past & past part. restrained; pres. part. restraining)

To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb. "Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose!"

To draw back toghtly, as a rein. (Obs.)

To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge. "Though they two were committed, at least restrained of their liberty."

To limit; to confine; to restrict. "Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral, universality also is to be restrained by a part of the predicate."

To withhold; to forbear. "Thou restrained prayer before God."

Synonyms: To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb; suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine.

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Etymology of 'Restrain'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Restrain" Quotes from Famous Books

... is there, we shall see it," replied the Indian, pointing to the zenith. The sun still lacked several hours of noon, and Cecil had to restrain his ...

— The Bridge of the Gods - A Romance of Indian Oregon. 19th Edition. • Frederic Homer Balch

... Barton's to boot, was wanted to restrain the wild mad agony of the fevered man. He started up, he yelled, he seemed infuriated by overwhelming anxiety. He cursed and swore, which surprised Wilson, who knew his piety in health, and who did not know the unbridled tongue of delirium. At length he seemed exhausted, and fell asleep; ...

— Mary Barton • Elizabeth Gaskell

... last to be entirely a matter of experience. Any man can walk in the woods all day at some gait. But his speed will depend on his skill. It is exactly like making your way through heavy, dry sand. As long as you restrain yourself to a certain leisurely plodding, you get along without extraordinary effort, while even a slight increase of speed drags fiercely at your feet. So it is with the woods. As long as you walk ...

— The Forest • Stewart Edward White

... and absurd, as I always thought and believed Lieutenant Puddock to be, I yet believe the asking such a question of me to be a stretch of absurdity, from which his breeding, for he is a gentleman, will restrain him. Besides, Madam, you can't possibly be aware of the subjects on which he has invariably discoursed whenever he happened to sit by me—plays and players, and candied fruit. Really, Madam, it is too absurd to have to enter upon ...

— The House by the Church-Yard • J. Sheridan Le Fanu

... had difficulty to restrain an indignation, to which, in the circumstances, it would have been madness to have given vent. He started from his reclining posture, and followed the Prince's train so as to keep them distinctly in sight; which was very easy, as they walked slowly. ...

— The Fortunes of Nigel • Sir Walter Scott

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