Refraining

Refraining
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. [1913 Webster]

His reason refraineth not his foul delight or talent. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Refrain thy foot from their path. --Prov. i. 15. [1913 Webster]

2. To abstain from. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink. --Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • refraining — re·frain || rɪ freɪn n. verse or phrase that is repeated during a song or poem, chorus; music or melody that accompanies the chorus v. abstain, forebear, restrain oneself, desist …   English contemporary dictionary

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  • abstinence — Refraining from the use of certain articles of diet, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or from sexual intercourse. [L. abs tineo, to hold back, fr. teneo, to hold] * * * ab·sti·nence ab stə nən(t)s n 1) voluntary forbearance esp. from sexual… …   Medical dictionary

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  • forbearance — Refraining from doing something that one has a legal right to do. Giving of further time for repayment of obligation or agreement not to enforce claim at its due date. Crestwood Lumber Co. v. Citizens Sav. & Loan Ass n, 83 C.A.3d 819, 148… …   Black's law dictionary

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