refrain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
    chorus.
  2. verb resist doing something
    forbear.
    • He refrained from hitting him back
    • she could not forbear weeping
  3. verb choose not to consume
    desist; abstain.
    • I abstain from alcohol

WordNet

Re*frain" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. refreinen, OF. refrener, F. refrner, 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.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Refrained present participle & verbal noun Refraining
Definitions
  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.
Re*frain" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. 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.
Re*frain" noun
Etymology
F. refrain, fr. OF. refraindre; cf. Pr. refranhs a refrain, refranher to repeat. See Refract,Refrain, v.
Definitions
  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.
    We hear the wild refrain. Whittier.

Webster 1913