Definitions for refrain
rɪˈfreɪnre·frain

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.6 / 7 votes

1. refrain, chorusverb

   the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers

2. refrain, forbearverb

   resist doing something

   "He refrained from hitting him back"; "she could not forbear weeping"

3. abstain, refrain, desistverb

   choose not to consume

   "I abstain from alcohol"

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. To Refrainverb

   To hold back; to keep from action.

   Etymology: refrener, Fr. re and frænum, Lat.

   Hold not thy tongue, O God, keep not still silence; refrain not thyself. Psalm lxxxiii. 1.

   My son, walk not thou in the way with them, refrain thy foot from their path. Prov. i. 15.

   Nor from the holy one of heav’n
   Refrain’d his tongue. John Milton.

   Neptune aton’d, his wrath shall now refrain,
   Or thwart the synod of the gods in vain. Alexander Pope.

2. To Refrainverb

   To forbear; to abstain; to spare.

   In what place, or upon what consideration soever it be, they do it, were it in their own opinion of no force being done, they would undoubtedly refrain to do it. Richard Hooker.

   For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Is. xlviii. 9.

   That they fed not on flesh, at least the faithful party before the flood, may become more probable, because they refrained therefrom some time after. Thomas Browne, Vulg. Err.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Refrain

   A refrain (from Vulgar Latin refringere, "to repeat", and later from Old French refraindre) is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in poetry — the "chorus" of a song. Poetic fixed forms that feature refrains include the villanelle, the virelay, and the sestina. In popular music, the refrain or chorus may contrast with the verse melodically, rhythmically, and harmonically; it may assume a higher level of dynamics and activity, often with added instrumentation. Chorus form, or strophic form, is a sectional and/or additive way of structuring a piece of music based on the repetition of one formal section or block played repeatedly.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. refrain

   A refrain is a repeated phrase, line, or verse in a poem, song, or piece of literature that occurs at regular intervals and serves to emphasize a particular theme, idea, or message. It is often used for poetic or rhetorical effect, adding rhythm, repetition, or structure to the piece. The refrain may also serve to create a sense of unity and continuity throughout the work.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:1.3 / 3 votes

1. Refrainverb

   to hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed bounds; to curb; to govern

2. Refrainverb

   to abstain from

3. Refrainverb

   to keep one's self from action or interference; to hold aloof; to forbear; to abstain

4. Refrain

   the burden of a song; a phrase or verse which recurs at the end of each of the separate stanzas or divisions of a poetic composition

5. Etymology: [OE. refreinen, OF. refrener, F. refrner, 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 to hold.]

WikidataRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Refrain

   A refrain from Vulgar Latin refringere, "to repeat", and later from Old French refraindre) is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song. Poetic fixed forms that feature refrains include the villanelle, the virelay, and the sestina. The use of refrains is particularly associated with where the verse-chorus-verse song structure typically places a refrain in almost every song. The refrain or chorus often sharply contrasts the verse melodically, rhythmically, and harmonically, and assumes a higher level of dynamics and activity, often with added instrumentation. Chorus form, or strophic form, is a sectional and/or additive way of structuring a piece of music based on the repetition of one formal section or block played repeatedly. See also verse-chorus form.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Refrain

   rē-frān′, n. a burden or chorus recurring at the end of each division of a poem: the musical form to which the burden of a song is set: an after-taste or other sense impression. [O. Fr. refrain—refraindre—L. refringĕre (refrangĕre).]

2. Refrain

   rē-frān′, v.t. to curb: to restrain.—v.i. to keep from action: to forbear.—ns. Refrain′er; Refrain′ment. [O. Fr. refraindre (Fr. refréner)—Low L. refrenāre—re-, back, frenum, a bridle.]

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce refrain?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say refrain in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of refrain in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of refrain in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of refrain in a Sentence

1. Dan Kritenbrink:

   We think it would be good if that non-militarization pledge, if he (Xi) would extend that across the South China Sea, we’re going to encourage our Chinese friends and other countries in the region to refrain from taking steps that raise tensions.

2. Philadelphia Police Department:

   Those acts will not be tolerated, and we strongly encourage everyone to refrain from entering Center City. We will continue [to] provide updates throughout the evening.

3. Eric Garcetti:

   We must refrain from gathering with people from outside our household, wherever possible, this most recent surge in COVID-19 cases presents us with an opportunity to work together, again, to reduce its spread and flatten the curve.

4. The United:

   The United States condemns these actions and calls on the DPRK to refrain from any further destabilizing acts, the The United States commitment to the defense of( South Korea) and Japan, remains ironclad.

5. Lane Olinghouse:

   To err is human to refrain from laughing, humane.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=refrain
2. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=refrain
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refrain
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refrain
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=refrain
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=refrain
8. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=refrain