refrain

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɹɪˈfɹeɪn/ Rhymes: -eɪn === Etymology 1 === Inherited from Middle English refreynen, from Anglo-Norman refrener, Old French refrener, from Latin refrēnāre, from re- +‎ frēnāre, from frēnum. ==== Verb ==== refrain (third-person singular simple present refrains, present participle refraining, simple past and past participle refrained) (transitive, archaic) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something). [from 14th c.] (reflexive, archaic) To show restraint; to hold oneself back. [from 14th c.] (transitive, now rare) To repress (a desire, emotion etc.); to check or curb. [from 14th c.] Synonym: hold (intransitive, with preposition "from") To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain; to eschew [from 15th c.] July 5, 1731, Jonathan Swift, letter to Vanessa If you knew how I struggle for a little health, what uneasiness I am at in riding and walking, and refraining from every thing agreeable to my taste (transitive, rare, regional) To abstain from (food or drink). [from 16th c.] ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== === Etymology 2 === From French refrain, from the Old French verb refraindre (“to break off, repeat”), from Latin re- (“back, again”) + frangō (“break”); compare Occitan refranhs (“a refrain”), refranher (“to repeat”). See refract and the verb refrain. ==== Noun ==== refrain (plural refrains) The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza. (by extension) A much repeated comment, complaint, or saying. Synonym: old saw ===== Translations ===== === References === “refrain”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. === Anagrams === Ren fair, ferrian == French == === Etymology === Alteration of Old French refrait, past participle of the verb refraindre (based on the verb's infinitive), itself from Vulgar Latin *refrangere, from Latin refringere. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ʁə.fʁɛ̃/ === Noun === refrain m (plural refrains) refrain, chorus ==== Derived terms ==== changer de refrain ==== Descendants ==== === Further reading === “refrain”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 === Anagrams === fariner == Italian == === Etymology === Borrowed from French refrain. === Noun === refrain m (invariable) refrain Synonym: ritornello === Further reading === refrain in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana === Anagrams === rifarne