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refrain |
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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