Definition of refrain

< refractory

refrain >

re·frain¹    (r-frn) KEY 

VERB:
re·frained, re·frain·ing, re·frains
VERB:
intr.

To hold oneself back; forbear: refrained from swearing.

VERB:
tr.
Archaic

To restrain or hold back; curb.

---

ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English refreinen, from Old French refrener, to restrain, from Latin refrnre : re-, re- + frnre, to restrain (from frnum, bridle, from frendere, to grind; see ghrendh- in Indo-European roots)

OTHER FORMS:
re·frainer(Noun), re·frainment(Noun)

SYNONYMS:
refrain¹, abstain, forbear¹

These verbs mean to keep or prevent oneself from doing or saying something: refrained from commenting; abstained from smoking; can't forbear criticizing them.