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Synonyms
re·frain1 (rĭ-frāń)

[Middle English refreinen, from Old French refrener, to restrain, from Latin refrēnāre, re-, re-, + frēnāre, to restrain (from frēnum, bridle) (from frendere, to grind; see ghrendh-).]

verb: -frained, -frain·ing, -frains. 

intransitive verb 

To hold oneself back; forbear: refrained from swearing.

transitive verb 

Archaic
To restrain or hold back; curb.

derivatives

re·fraińer
noun
re·fraińment
noun

synonyms:

refrain1abstain, forbear1 These verbs mean to keep or prevent oneself from doing or saying something: refrained from commenting; abstained from smoking; can't forbear criticizing them.
re·frain2 (rĭ-frāń)

[Middle English refrein, from Old French refrain, alteration of refrait past participle of refraindre, to break off, repeat, from Vulgar Latin* refrangere, to break off, alteration of Latin refringere; see refract.]

noun 

    1. A phrase, verse, or group of verses repeated at intervals throughout a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza.
    2. Music for the refrain of a poem.
  2. A song or melody.
  3. A repeated utterance or theme.