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View synonyms for

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: ,



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

/ ɪˈڰɪ /

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

2

/ ɪˈڰɪ /

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

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

  • ˈڰԱ, noun
  • ˈڰԳԳ, noun
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Other yvlog Forms

  • ·ڰ· noun
  • ·ڰ·Գ noun
  • ܲ··ڰԱ adjective
  • ܲ··ڰ·Բ adjective
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of refrain1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English refreinen, from Old French refre(i)ner, from Latin ڰŧ “t bridle,” derivative of re- re- + ڰŧ(ܳ) “b”

Origin of refrain2

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, Middle French refreyne, from Old French refrain, derivative of refraindre “t break sequence” from Vulgar Latin refrangere (unattested) for Latin refringere “t refract
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of refrain1

C14: from Latin ڰŧ to check with a bridle, from re- + ڰŧԳܳ a bridle

Origin of refrain2

C14: via Old French, ultimately from Latin refringere to break into pieces
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Minnesota lawmakers proposed a similar bill in February, and unions in Illinois have begun a campaign to unionize drivers in the state, with Uber agreeing to refrain from interfering with the effort.

From

But Sheinbaum, who has championed a “cool headed” response to Trump’s provocations — and eschewed an “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth” approach — refrained from imposing any additional duties on U.S. imports.

From

And lastly, if you constantly tinker with what you are cooking, you must refrain when you fry.

From

On Thursday and Friday night at Dodger Stadium, a common refrain echoed from the home plate escalators as the crowd was filing out.

From

As the "building collapsed like a pancake" – and is continuing to collapse – rescue work has been difficult, forcing officials to refrain from using heavy machinery, one official said.

From

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