refrain

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Pronunciation 1.2 Etymology 1 1.2.1 Verb 1.2.1.1 Translations 1.3 Etymology 2 1.3.1 Noun 1.3.1.1 Translations 1.4 References 2 French 2.1 Noun 2.2 Anagrams 3 Italian 3.1 Etymology 3.2 Noun 3.2.1 Synonyms 3.3 Anagrams

[edit] English

[edit] Pronunciation

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -eɪn

[edit] Etymology 1

From Old English refreinen, Old French refrener, French refrener, from Latin refrenare; influenced by Old French refraindre (“‘to restrain, moderate’”), from Late Latin refrangere, for Latin refringere (“‘to break up, break’”) (see refract). Latin refrenare is from prefix re- (“‘back’”) + frenum (“‘bridle’”).

[edit] Verb

to refrain (third-person singular simple present refrains, present participle refraining, simple past and past participle refrained)

1. (transitive) To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern.
   • Chaucer

     His reson refraineth not his foul delight or talent.

   • Proverbs i:15.

     Refrain thy foot from their path.

2. (transitive) To abstain from
   • Thomas Browne

     Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink.

3. (intransitive) To keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof; to forbear; to abstain.
   • Acts 5:38

     Refrain from these men, and let them alone.

   • Thomas Browne

     They refrained therefrom [eating flesh] some time after.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

From French refrain, from Old French refraindre (“‘to break off, repeat’”) < Latin re- (“‘back, again’”) + frangō (“‘break’”); compare Pr. refranhs (“‘a refrain’”), refranher (“‘to repeat’”). See refract and the verb to refrain.

[edit] Noun

Wikipedia

refrain (plural refrains)

1. 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. As enjoined by a chorus.

   We hear the wild refrain. Whittier.

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

• refrain in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913

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[edit] French

[edit] Noun

refrain m. (plural refrains)

1. refrain, chorus

[edit] Anagrams

• Anagrams of aefinrr
• fariner

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[edit] Italian

[edit] Etymology

French

[edit] Noun

refrain m. inv.

1. refrain

[edit] Synonyms

• ritornello

[edit] Anagrams

• Anagrams of aefinrr
• rifarne