4 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Refrain \Re*frain"\, 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. --Acts v.
38.
They refrained therefrom [eating flesh] some time
after --Sir T.
Browne.
Syn: To hold back forbear; abstain; withhold.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Refrain \Re*frain"\ (r?*fr?n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Refrained}
(-fr?nd"); p. pr & vb/ n. {Refraining}.] [OE. refreinen OF
refrener F. refr?ner, fr L. refrenare influenced by OF
refraindre to restrain, moderate, fr LL refrangere for L.
refringere to break up break (see {Refract}). L. refrenare
is fr pref. re- back + frenum bridle; cf Skr. dh? to hold.]
1. To hold back to restrain; to keep within prescribed
bounds; to curb; to govern.
His reson refraineth not his foul delight or talent.
--Chaucer.
Refrain thy foot from their path. --Prov. i. 15.
2. To abstain from [Obs.]
Who requiring a remedy for his gout, received no
other counsel than to refrain cold drink. --Sir T.
Browne.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Refrain \Re*frain"\, n. [F. refrain, fr OF refraindre cf Pr
refranhs a refrain, refranher to repeat. See
{Refract},{Refrain}, v.]
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. --Whittier.
From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]:
refrain
n : the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of
singers [syn: {chorus}]
v 1: not do something "He refrained from hitting him back" [syn:
{forebear}, {forbear}] [ant: {act}]
2: choose to refrain; "i abstain from alcohol" [syn: {abstain},
{desist}] [ant: {consume}]
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