Restrain

Restrain
Restrain Re*strain", v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Restrained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Restraining}.] [OE. restreinen, F. restreindre, fr. L. restringere, restrictum; pref. re- re- + stringere to draw, bind, or press together. See {Strain}, v. t., and cf. {Restrict}.] 1. To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb. [1913 Webster]

Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose! --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. To draw back toghtly, as a rein. [Obs.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge. [1913 Webster]

Though they two were committed, at least restrained of their liberty. --Clarendon. [1913 Webster]

4. To limit; to confine; to restrict. --Trench. [1913 Webster]

Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral, universality also is to be restrained by a part of the predicate. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]

5. To withhold; to forbear. [1913 Webster]

Thou restrained prayer before God. --Job. xv. 4. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb; suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую
Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • restrain — re·strain /ri strān/ vt 1 a: to prevent from doing something see also restraining order at order 3b b: to limit, restrict, or keep under control 2: to moderate or limit …   Law dictionary

  • restrain — re‧strain [rɪˈstreɪn] verb [transitive] to control or limit something that is starting to increase: • tough rules to restrain the creation of monopolies • A cut in consumer credit would restrain an economic recovery. * * * restrain UK US… …   Financial and business terms

  • restrain — restrain, curb, check, bridle, inhibit are comparable when they mean to hold a person or thing back from doing something or from going too far in doing something. Restrain, the most comprehensive of these terms, may imply the intent either to… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • restrain — [ri strān′] vt. [ME restreinen < OFr restreindre < L restringere < re , back + stringere, to draw tight: see STRICT] 1. to hold back from action; check; suppress; curb 2. to keep under control 3. to deprive of physical liberty, as by… …   English World dictionary

  • restrain — (v.) mid 14c., from stem of O.Fr. restraindre, from L. restringere draw back tightly, confine, check (see RESTRICTION (Cf. restriction)). Related: Restrained; restraining …   Etymology dictionary

  • restrain — [v] keep under control; hold back arrest, bind, bottle up, box up, bridle, chain, check, choke back, circumscribe, confine, constrain, contain, control, cool*, cork*, crack down*, curb, curtail, debar, delimit, detain, deter, direct, fetter, gag …   New thesaurus

  • restrain — ► VERB 1) keep under control or within limits. 2) deprive of freedom of movement or personal liberty. 3) repress (a strong emotion). DERIVATIVES restrainable adjective restrainer noun. ORIGIN Latin restringere tie back …   English terms dictionary

  • restrain — [[t]rɪstre͟ɪn[/t]] restrains, restraining, restrained 1) VERB If you restrain someone, you stop them from doing what they intended or wanted to do, usually by using your physical strength. [V n] Wally gripped my arm, partly to restrain me and… …   English dictionary

  • restrain — verb ADVERB ▪ barely ▪ I barely restrained myself from hitting him. ▪ properly ▪ The horse must be properly restrained in a location where it would not hurt itself. ▪ forcibly …   Collocations dictionary

  • restrain — transitive verb Etymology: Middle English restraynen, from Anglo French restreindre, from Latin restringere to restrain, restrict, from re + stringere to bind tight more at strain Date: 14th century 1. a. to prevent from doing, exhibiting, or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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