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restrain - 6 dictionary results

re-strain

  [ree-streyn]
Use restrain in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
to strain again.
Origin:
1870–75; re- + strain 1

re⋅strain

  [ri-streyn]
–verb (used with object)
1. to hold back from action; keep in check or under control; repress: to restrain one's temper.
2. to deprive of liberty, as by arrest or the like.
3. to limit or hamper the activity, growth, or effect of: to restrain trade with Cuba.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME restreynen < MF restreindre < L restringere to bind back, bind fast, equiv. to re- re- + stringere to draw together; see strain 1

Related forms:
re⋅strain⋅a⋅ble, adjective
re⋅strain⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, noun
re⋅strain⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. bridle, suppress, constrain. See check. 2. restrict, circumscribe, confine, hinder, hamper.

Antonyms:
1. unbridle. 2. free, liberate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To restrain
re·strain   (rĭ-strān')   
tr.v.   re·strained, re·strain·ing, re·strains
    1. To hold back or keep in check; control: couldn't restrain the tears.
    2. To hold (a person) back; prevent: restrained them from going.
  2. To deprive of freedom or liberty.
  3. To limit or restrict.

[Middle English restreinen, from Old French restraindre, restreign-, from Latin restringere, to bind back; see restrict.]
re·strain'a·ble adj., re·strain'ed·ly (-strā'nĭd-lē) adv., re·strain'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to hold back or keep under control. Restrain implies restriction or limitation, as on one's freedom of action: "a wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another" (Thomas Jefferson).
To curb is to restrain as if with reins: "You might curb your magnanimity" (John Keats).
Check implies arresting or stopping, often suddenly or forcibly: "a light to guide, a rod/To check the erring" (William Wordsworth).
To bridle is often to hold in or govern one's emotions or passions: I tried with all my might to bridle my resentment.
Inhibit usually connotes a check on one's actions, thoughts, or emotions: A fear of strangers inhibited his ability to travel.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Restrain

Re*strain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Restrained; p. pr. & vb. n. Restraining.] [OE. restreinen, F. restreindre, fr. L. restringere, restrictum; pref. re- re- + stringere to draw, bind, or press together. See Strain, v. t., and cf. Restrict.]

1. To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb.

Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose! --Shak.

2. To draw back toghtly, as a rein. [Obs.] --Shak.

3. To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.

Though they two were committed, at least restrained of their liberty. --Clarendon.

4. To limit; to confine; to restrict. --Trench.

Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral, universality also is to be restrained by a part of the predicate. --I. Watts.

5. To withhold; to forbear.

Thou restrained prayer before God. --Job. xv. 4.

Syn: To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb; suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : restrain
Spanish: refrenar(se), contenerse,
German: zurückhalten,
Japanese: 抑える
More Translations »

restrain 
c.1340, from stem of O.Fr. restraindre, from L. restringere "draw back tightly, confine, check" (see restriction). Restraint "action of restraining" is recorded from c.1400, from O.Fr. restrainte, prop. fem. pp. of restraindre. Meaning "means of restraint" is recorded from 1421.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: re·strain
Pronunciation: ri-'strAn
Function: transitive verb
1 a : to prevent from doing something —see also restraining order at ORDER 3b b : to limit, restrict, or keep under control
2 : to moderate or limit the force, effect, development, or full exercise of
3 : to deprive of liberty and esp. of physical movement
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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