1 definition found From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]: Refrain \Re*frain"\ (r[-e]*fr[=a]n"), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Refrained} (-fr[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Refraining}.] [OE. refreinen, OF. refrener, F. refr['e]ner, fr. L. refrenare; influenced by OF. refraindre to restrain, moderate, fr. LL. refrangere, for L. refringere to break up, break (see {Refract}). L. refrenare is fr. pref. re- back + frenum bridle; cf. Skr. dh[.r] to hold.] 1. To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern. His reason refraineth not his foul delight or talent. --Chaucer. Refrain thy foot from their path. --Prov. i. 15. 2. To abstain from. [Obs.] Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink. --Sir T. Browne.

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