Re‐frain″ (rē̍‐frān″), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Refrained (–frānd″); p. pr. & vb. n.Refraining.] [OE. refreinen, OF. refrener, F. refréner, 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. dhṛ 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.
Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink. Sir T. Browne.