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restraint - 6 dictionary results

re⋅straint

[ri-streynt]
–noun
1. a restraining action or influence: freedom from restraint.
2. Sometimes, restraints. a means of or device for restraining, as a harness for the body.
3. the act of restraining, holding back, controlling, or checking.
4. the state or fact of being restrained; deprivation of liberty; confinement.
5. constraint or reserve in feelings, behavior, etc.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME restreinte < MF restrainte, n. use of fem. ptp. of restraindre to restrain


4. circumscription, restriction, imprisonment, incarceration.


4. liberty.
re·straint   (rĭ-strānt')   
n.  
  1. The act of restraining or the condition of being restrained.
  2. Loss or abridgment of freedom.
  3. An influence that inhibits or restrains; a limitation.
  4. An instrument or a means of restraining.
  5. Control or repression of feelings; constraint.

[Middle English restreinte, from Old French restrainte, from feminine past participle of restraindre, to restrain; see restrain.]

Restraint

Re*straint"\, n. [OF. restraincte, fr. restrainct, F. restreint, p. p. of restraindre, restrendre. See Restrain.]

1. The act or process of restraining, or of holding back or hindering from motion or action, in any manner; hindrance of the will, or of any action, physical or mental.

No man was altogether above the restrains of law, and no man altogether below its protection. --Macaulay.

2. The state of being restrained.

3. That which restrains, as a law, a prohibition, or the like; limitation; restriction.

For one restraint, lords of the world besides. --Milton.

Syn: Repression; hindrance; check; stop; curb;?oercion; confinement; limitation; restriction.

Main Entry: re·straint
Pronunciation: ri-'strAnt
Function: noun
1 a : an act or fact of restraining —see also PRIOR RESTRAINT b : the state of being restrained
2 a : a means of restraining b : a device that restricts movement (as of prisoners or violent psychiatric patients)

Main Entry: re·straint
Pronunciation: ri-'strAnt
Function: noun
: a device that restricts movement <restraints such as straitjacketsfor violent patients>

restraint re·straint (rĭ-strānt')
n.

  1. An instrument or a means of restraint to prevent the infliction of harm to self or others, such as a straightjacket.
  2. Control or repression of feelings; constraint.

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