refrain
refrain Lexical Profile
refrain Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To stop oneself from doing something, especially an impulse or habit (usually followed by 'from').
"Passengers are kindly requested to refrain from using mobile phones during the flight."
• noun
A repeated line or number of lines in a poem or song, typically at the end of each verse, or the musical accompaniment for it.
"The entire audience joined in singing the familiar refrain at the end of every verse."
A comment, complaint, or saying that is frequently repeated.
"The lack of affordable housing has become a common refrain among young professionals in the city."
• Rhymes for refrain
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb comes from Old French 'refrener', from Latin 'refrenare' meaning 'to hold back with a bridle' (from 'frenum', 'bridle'). The noun derives from a separate root via Old French 'refraindre', from Vulgar Latin 'refrangere' meaning 'to break off or repeat'.