refrain

¹ 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 ² 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 ¹ 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 ² British  

/ rɪˈfreɪn /

verb

1. to abstain (from action); forbear

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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 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 ”

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”

Example Sentences

Starting this year, a single request form will allow Californians to demand that data brokers delete their personal information and refrain from collecting or selling it in the future.

From Los Angeles Times

Parents are advised to refrain from feeding infants or young children the formula, Nestle said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Charter: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.”

From The Wall Street Journal

A common refrain in the restaurant industry, especially among disgruntled servers, goes something like this: Every diner should have to work for at least one year in a restaurant, akin to mandatory military service.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company, which has historically done big share buybacks, also refrained from repurchasing its own shares for five consecutive quarters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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