refrain

¹ American  

[ri-freyn] / rɪˈfreɪn /

verb (used without object)

1. to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed byfrom ).

   I refrained from telling him what I thought.

   Synonyms:

   desist, forbear

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verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to curb.

refrain ² American  

[ri-freyn] / rɪˈfreɪn /

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.

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refrain ¹ British  

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

verb

1. to abstain (from action); forbear

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refrain ² British  

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

noun

1. a regularly recurring melody, such as the chorus of a song

2. a much repeated saying or idea

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refrain Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• refrainer noun
• refrainment noun
• unrefrained adjective
• unrefraining adjective

Etymology

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 ”

Example Sentences

The Palace points to the King's unprecedented moves so far – stripping Andrew of titles and home, offering assistance, and refraining in any way from seeking favour from the authorities.

From BBC

“I’ve been a victim of fashion, unjustly applying berry passion,” goes the final refrain.

From Salon

"Yes, they insult him, but he should behave better," seems to be the constant refrain.

From BBC

In reaction to Erdogan's comments, Somaliland's foreign ministry said that Turkey, which has in recent years become an important geopolitical player in the Horn of Africa, should refrain from inflaming regional tensions.

From BBC

His speech to the 1988 Democratic National Convention, which ended with the refrain "keep hope alive", would be echoed decades later in the "hope and change" slogan of Obama's successful 2008 presidential campaign.

From BBC

Related Words

• abstain
• avoid
• cease
• curb
• desist
• forgo
• halt
• renounce
• resist
• restrain