REFRAIN


Meaning of REFRAIN in English

I. ri-ˈfrān verb

Etymology: Middle English refreynen, from Anglo-French refreiner, refreindre, from Latin refrenare, from re- + frenum bridle — more at frenum

Date: 14th century

transitive verb

archaic : curb , restrain

intransitive verb

: to keep oneself from doing, feeling, or indulging in something and especially from following a passing impulse

refrain ed from having dessert

• re·frain·ment -mənt noun

II. noun

Etymology: Middle English refreyn, from Middle French refrain, alteration of Old French refrait melody, response, from past participle of refraindre to break up, moderate, from Vulgar Latin * refrangere, alteration of Latin refringere — more at refract

Date: 14th century

: a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus ; also : the musical setting of a refrain

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.