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View synonyms for refrain

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


refrain

2

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

verb

  1. intrusually foll byfrom to abstain (from action); forbear
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

refrain

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


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Derived Forms

  • reˈfrainer, noun
  • reˈfrainment, noun
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Other Words From

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

We urge members of Congress to refrain from relying on this one-sided staff report to guide future legislation.

From Fortune

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.

From Digiday

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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refractory periodreframe