un refrained
verb (used without object)
1.
to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed by from ): I refrained from telling him what I thought.
verb (used with object)
2.
Archaic. to curb.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English refreinen < Old French refrener < Latin refrēnāre to bridle, equivalent to re- re- + frēn(um) bridle + -āre infinitive suffix
1300–50; Middle English refreinen < Old French refrener < Latin refrēnāre to bridle, equivalent to re- re- + frēn(um) bridle + -āre infinitive suffix
Related forms
re·frain·er, noun
re·frain·ment, noun
un·re·frained, adjective
un·re·frain·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. forbear, desist.
1. forbear, desist.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To un refrained
00:10
Un refrained
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
refrain1 (rɪˈfreɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (usually foll by from) | |
| to abstain (from action); forbear | |
| [C14: from Latin refrēnāre to check with a bridle, from | |
| re'frainer1 | |
| —n | |
| re'frainment1 | |
| —n | |
| refrain2 (rɪˈfreɪn) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a regularly recurring melody, such as the chorus of a song |
| 2. | a much repeated saying or idea |
| [C14: via Old French, ultimately from Latin refringere to break into pieces] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
refrain
c.1300, from O.Fr. refraigner "restrain, repress" (12c.), from L. refrenare "bridle, hold in with a bit," from re- "back" + frenare "restrain, furnish with a bridle," from frenum "a bridle."
refrain
late 14c., from O.Fr. refrain, alteration of refrait, properly pp. of refraindre "repeat," also "break off," from Prov. refranhar "singing of birds, refrain," from V.L. *refrangere "break off," alteration of L. refringere (see refraction). The notion is of something that
causes a song to "break off" then resume. Not common before 19c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Related Searches
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
