v. t.
His reason refraineth not his foul delight or talent. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
Refrain thy foot from their path. Prov. i. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]
Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof; to forbear; to abstain. [ 1913 Webster ]
Refrain from these men, and let them alone. Acts v. 38. [ 1913 Webster ]
They refrained therefrom [ eating flesh ] some time after. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F. refrain, fr. OF. refraindre; cf. Pr. refranhs a refrain, refranher to repeat. See Refract, Refrain, v. ] The burden of a song; a phrase or verse which recurs at the end of each of the separate stanzas or divisions of a poetic composition. [ 1913 Webster ]
We hear the wild refrain. Whittier. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who refrains. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Act of refraining. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]