refrain

English

/ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/

verb
Definitions
  • (transitive) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).
  • (reflexive) To show restraint; to hold oneself back.
  • (transitive) To repress (a desire, emotion etc.); to check or curb.
  • (intransitive) To stop oneself from (from) some action or interference; to abstain.
  • (transitive) To abstain from (food or drink).

Etymology

Borrowed from refraindre borrowed from Middle French refreindre derived from Latin refringere borrowed from refrener borrowed from Middle French refrener derived from Latin refrenare root from Proto-Indo-European *bʰreg- (break, crack, split).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*bʰreg-

Gloss

break, crack, split

Concept
Semantic Field

Basic actions and technology

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Emoji
💔

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms