Category:Refrain

Re*frain" (r*frn"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refrained (-frnd"); p. pr. & Vb/ n. Refraining.] Etym: [oe. refreinen, of. refrener, f. refr, 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.

Refrain Re*frain", v. i.

Defn: 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.

Refrain Re*frain", n. Etym: [f. refrain, fr. Of. refraindre; cf. Pr. refranhs A refrain, refranher to repeat. See refract,refrain, v.]

Defn: 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.