Refrainment

re·frain ¹  (r-frn)

v. re·frained, re·frain·ing, re·frains

v.intr.

To hold oneself back; forbear: refrained from swearing.

v.tr. Archaic

To restrain or hold back; curb.

---

[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).]

---

re·frainer n.

re·frainment n.

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.

---

re·frain ²  (r-frn)

n.

1.

a. A phrase, verse, or group of verses repeated at intervals throughout a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza.

b. Music for the refrain of a poem.

2. A song or melody.

3. A repeated utterance or theme.

---

[Middle English refrein, from Old French refrain, alteration of refrait, past participle of refraindre, to break off, repeat, from Vulgar Latin *refrangere, to break off, alteration of Latin refringere; see refract.]