refrain

¹

[ ri-freyn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed by from ):

   I refrained from telling him what I thought.

   Synonyms: desist, forbear

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to curb.

refrain

²

[ ri-freyn ]

noun

1. a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza; chorus.
2. Music.
   1. a musical setting for the refrain of a poem.
   2. any melody.
   3. the principal, recurrent section of a rondo.
3. an often heard statement, opinion, etc.:

   Today’s technology haters have a common refrain—robots are bad for society.

4. a frequently occurring situation or series of events:

   The game followed a familiar refrain: a strong first quarter start that eventually fizzles out.

refrain

¹

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

noun

1. a regularly recurring melody, such as the chorus of a song
2. a much repeated saying or idea

refrain

²

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

verb

1. intrusually foll byfrom to abstain (from action); forbear

refrain

1. In some pieces of verse , a set of words repeated at the end of each stanza .

Derived Forms

• reˈfrainer, noun
• reˈfrainment, noun

Other Words From

• re·frain·er noun
• re·frain·ment noun
• un·re·frained adjective
• un·re·frain·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of refrain¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English refreinen, from Old French refre(i)ner, from Latin refrēnāre “to bridle,” derivative of re- re- + frēn(um) “bridle”

Origin of refrain²

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French refreyne, from Old French refrain, derivative of refraindre “to break sequence” from Vulgar Latin refrangere (unattested) for Latin refringere “to refract ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of refrain¹

C14: via Old French, ultimately from Latin refringere to break into pieces

Origin of refrain²

C14: from Latin refrēnāre to check with a bridle, from re- + frēnum a bridle

Example Sentences

She said Meta "must stop this behaviour", with the EU asking the firm to "refrain from repeating" the infringement.

From BBC

Besides grounding planes to minimise noise disturbances during the 20-minute English listening test, authorities have also asked bus and taxi drivers to refrain from honking while the tests are taking place.

From BBC

The refrain is all too familiar for 60-year-old activist Atul Sharma who was so worried about the changes menopause brought in her mood and sex drive that she hid the condition from her husband for nearly six years.

From BBC

If Trump thinks Putin actually will refrain from stepping up attacks on Ukraine as a friendly favor … well, maybe our once-and-future president will learn a lesson about the limits of personal relations in the face of perceived national interests early in his second term.

From Slate

“We ask the public to respect the presumption of innocence and to refrain from speculation as we work to gather all relevant facts.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abstain
• avoid
• cease
• curb
• desist
• forgo
• halt
• renounce
• resist
• restrain