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

By the end of the short ad, the two men happily agree that everything really is “in there,” and I think of that refrain when I bake this Pumpkin Cheesecake.

From Salon

There comes a point in “Conclave” where all hope is lost and a recurring refrain counsels the acceptance of a lesser evil.

From Salon

But despite her plea for people to refrain from commenting on her body and anyone's body, that hasn't stopped the unfounded diagnoses.

From Salon

“Good luck with that, Phil!” was the refrain at each gathering.

From Los Angeles Times

The DOJ also proposed court oversight of Android to ensure the company refrains from using its ecosystem to "favour its general search services and search text ad monopolies."

From BBC

Related Words

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