Refrain

Quick meaning: Refrain is a verb meaning (transitive, archaic) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).

Meaning

(transitive, archaic) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).

More Meanings

1. (reflexive, archaic) To show restraint; to hold oneself back.
2. (transitive, now rare) To repress (a desire, emotion etc.); to check or curb.
3. (intransitive, with preposition "from") To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain; to eschew
4. (transitive, rare, regional) To abstain from (food or drink).
5. The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza.
6. (by extension) A much repeated comment, complaint, or saying.

Example Sentences

Refrain thy foot from their path.

Refrain from these men, and let them alone.

They refrained therefrom [eating flesh] some time after.

And nowe I saye unto you: refrayne youreselves from these men, and let them alone [...].

Word Forms

• refrains
• refraining
• refrained

Synonyms for refrain

Depending on context, synonyms include hold, chorus, abstain, forbear, desist.

Antonyms for refrain

Common opposites include have, act, take, move, take in, ingest.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include forbear, desist, abstain, chorus, prevent, cease.

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