Refrained

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Refrain \Re*frain"\ (r[-e]*fr[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Refrained} (-fr[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Refraining}.] [OE.
     refreinen, OF. refrener, F. refr['e]ner, fr. L. refrenare;
     influenced by OF. refraindre to restrain, moderate, fr. LL.
     refrangere, for L. refringere to break up, break (see
     {Refract}). L. refrenare is fr. pref. re- back + frenum


     bridle; cf. Skr. dh[.r] to hold.]
     1. To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed
        bounds; to curb; to govern.
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              His reason refraineth not his foul delight or
              talent.                               --Chaucer.
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              Refrain thy foot from their path.     --Prov. i. 15.
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     2. To abstain from. [Obs.]
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              Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no
              other counsel than to refrain cold drink. --Sir T.
                                                    Browne.
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