The Collaborative International Dictionary
Refrain \Re*frain"\ (r[-e]*fr[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Refrained (-fr[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. Refraining.] [OE. refreinen, OF. refrener, F. refr['e]ner, fr. L. refrenare; influenced by OF. refraindre to restrain, moderate, fr. LL. refrangere, for L. refringere to break up, break (see Refract). L. refrenare is fr. pref. re- back + frenum bridle; cf. Skr. dh[.r] to hold.]
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To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern.
His reason refraineth not his foul delight or talent.
--Chaucer.Refrain thy foot from their path.
--Prov. i. 15. -
To abstain from. [Obs.]
Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink.
--Sir T. Browne.
Wiktionary
n. The act of one who refrains from doing something. vb. (present participle of refrain English)
Usage examples of "refraining".
I like her all the better for not meeting us half-way and for refraining from any gushing.
Consequently, he has tried to walk a fine line, giving moral and some material support but refraining from actual operational involvement.