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Refrainer

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
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.]


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