verb (used with object) to confine or keep within limits, as of space, action, choice, intensity, or quantity.
Origin: 1525–35; <
Latin restrictus drawn back, tightened, bound, reserved, orig. past participle of
restringere to
restrain, equivalent to
re- re- +
strictus strict Related forms re·strict·er, re·stric·tor, noun
de·re·strict, verb (used with object)
non·re·strict·ing, adjective
o·ver·re·strict, verb (used with object)
pre·re·strict, verb (used with object)
Synonyms
curb, circumscribe, abridge, restrain.
Antonyms
free.