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refrain
1[ ri-freyn ]
refrain
2[ ri-freyn ]
noun
- a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza; chorus.
- Music.
- a musical setting for the refrain of a poem.
- any melody.
- the principal, recurrent section of a rondo.
- an often heard statement, opinion, etc.:
Today’s technology haters have a common refrain—robots are bad for society.
- 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
- a regularly recurring melody, such as the chorus of a song
- a much repeated saying or idea
refrain
2/ rɪˈfreɪn /
verb
- intrusually foll byfrom to abstain (from action); forbear
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
Word History and Origins
Origin of refrain1
Origin of refrain2
Example Sentences
We urge members of Congress to refrain from relying on this one-sided staff report to guide future legislation.
When she was reinstated in 2015, Dwyer-Jones was allowed to practice law so long as she refrained from drinking alcohol and using mood-altering drugs that were not prescribed to her, disciplinary records show.
In other words, we should refrain from undermining others’ dignity.
I’ve seen the refrain time and again in reviews of papers where my coauthors and I presented a method motivated by an application, and I’ve heard similar stories from countless others.
Those apps were able to refrain from allowing Amazon and Roku to sell their ad inventory because Amazon and Roku needed Hulu and CBS All Access on their platforms in order to sell their CTV devices.
However much we gossip about heterosexual couples with large age gaps, we at least refrain from calling them sex offenders.
Or “you give us Keystone, and we may refrain from throwing the world financial markets into turmoil.”
Texas Senator Ted Cruz wove a refrain into his speech that “morning is coming.”
I will refrain from going there—although, I must say, I am fighting a powerful gut feeling.
Despairing about the length and frequency of the many fashion weeks has become a tired refrain.
Others faultily refrain altogether from renewing them in their social capacities.
As the husband's rights to such an estate have been abolished in many states, we refrain from adding more principles.
It is impossible to refrain from applauding the king for this manifestation of spirit and self-respect.
Queeker was gazing at one of the sketches with an aspect so haggard and savage that Mr Durant could not refrain from remarking it.
Lawrence and Dan could hardly refrain from shouting aloud; even Mr. Chittenden was surprised at the feeling Grace showed.
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