I. re ‧ frain 1 /rɪˈfreɪn/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive] formal
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: refrener , from Latin refrenare , from frenum 'bridle' ]
to not do something that you want to do ⇨ abstain
refrain from (doing) something
Please refrain from smoking in this area.
II. refrain 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: refraindre 'to make sound' , from Latin refringere ; ⇨ ↑ refract ]
1 . part of a song or poem that is repeated, especially at the end of each ↑ verse ⇨ chorus
2 . formal a remark or idea that is often repeated:
Our proposal met with the constant refrain that the company could not afford it.