/ rɪˈstreɪn; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
restrain sb/sth (from sth / from doing sth) to stop sb/sth from doing sth, especially by using physical force :
The prisoner had to be restrained by the police.
They have obtained an injunction restraining the company from selling the product.
He placed a restraining hand on her arm.
2.
restrain yourself (from sth / from doing sth) to stop yourself from feeling an emotion or doing sth that you would like to do :
John managed to restrain his anger.
She had to restrain herself from crying out in pain.
3.
to stop sth that is growing or increasing from becoming too large
SYN keep under control :
The government is taking steps to restrain inflation.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French restreign- , stem of restreindre , from Latin restringere , from re- back + stringere to tie, pull tight.