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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Restrain \Re*strain"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Restrained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Restraining}.] [OE. restreinen, F. restreindre, fr. L. restringere, restrictum; pref. re- re- + stringere to draw, bind, or press together. See {Strain}, verb (used with an object), and cf. {Restrict}.]
1. To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb.
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose! --Shak.
2. To draw back toghtly, as a rein. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.
Though they two were committed, at least restrained of their liberty. --Clarendon.
4. To limit; to confine; to restrict. --Trench.
Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral, universality also is to be restrained by a part of the predicate. --I. Watts.
5. To withhold; to forbear.
Thou restrained prayer before God. --Job. xv. 4.
Syn: To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb; suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
restrain
verb
1: keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep your temper"; "keep your cool" [syn: {suppress}, {keep}, {keep back}, {hold back}]
2: place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your friends" [syn: {restrict}, {trammel}, {limit}, {bound}, {confine}, {throttle}]
3: to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement; "This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists for ransom" [syn: {confine}, {hold}]
4: hold back [syn: {encumber}, {cumber}, {constrain}]
5: to compel or deter by or as if by threats [syn: {intimidate}]
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
225 Moby Thesaurus words for "restrain": abate, adjust to, allay, alleviate, alter, anchor, arrest, assuage, attemper, bank the fire, bar, bind, bit, block, blunt, bottle up, bound, box in, box up, bridle, cage, cause, cause to, chain, chasten, check, circumscribe, cloister, coarct, collect, compel, condition, confine, constrain, contain, control, cool, cool off, coop, coop in, coop up, copyright, cork up, countercheck, crib, crimp, curb, curtail, dam up, damp, dampen, de-emphasize, deaden, debar, decelerate, delay, detain, diminish, discipline, dompt, downplay, draw the line, drive, dull, encage, enchain, enclose, enforce, enjoin, entrammel, extenuate, fasten, fence in, fetter, forbear, force, gag, govern, guard, gyve, hamper, handcuff, handicap, have, hedge, hedge about, hem in, hinder, hobble, hog-tie, hold, hold at bay, hold back, hold down, hold fast, hold in, hold in check, hold in custody, hold in leash, hold in restraint, hold up, hopple, immure, impede, impel, impound, imprison, incarcerate, inhibit, intercept, interfere, interfere with, intermeddle, interrupt, intervene, keep, keep back, keep from, keep in, keep in check, keep in custody, keep in detention, keep under control, keep within bounds, lash, lay, lay under restraint, leash, leaven, lenify, lessen, lighten, limit, lock up, make, make fast, manacle, meddle, mew, mew up, mitigate, moderate, modify, modulate, moor, muzzle, narrow, obstruct, obtund, oppose, palliate, patent, peg down, pen, pen up, picket, pin down, pinion, play down, pound, prevent, prohibit, pull, pull in, purify, put in irons, qualify, rail in, reduce, reduce the temperature, refrain, register, regulate, regulate by, rein, rein in, repress, resist, restrict, retard, retrench, rope, scant, scotch, seal up, season, secure, set back, set conditions, set limits, shackle, shut in, shut up, simmer down, simplify, slacken, slow down, smother, snub, sober, sober down, soften, specialize, stifle, stint, stop, straiten, straitjacket, strap, subdue, suppress, tame, temper, tether, tie, tie down, tie up, tone down, trammel, tune down, underplay, use force upon, wall in, weaken, withhold
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