refrain
[verb]
Synonyms: stop, abstain, avoid, cease, desist, forbear, leave off, renounce
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[noun]
Synonyms: chorus, melody, tune

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Related Words: arrest, check, halt, interrupt, stop, curb, inhibit, restrain

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. re‧frain¹ /rɪˈfreɪn/ 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.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. refrain² 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.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

refrain
noun
ADJ. constant | familiar Complaints about school food have become a familiar refrain.
VERB + REFRAIN sing, take up The choir's sopranos took up the refrain.
REFRAIN + VERB go Shoppers, so the refrain goes, are never happy until they have found a bargain.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

refrain
verb
ADV. carefully, deliberately He deliberately refrained from expressing his opinion on the matter.
wisely
PREP. from I refrained from laughing.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

refrain
verb
BAD: We all refrained telling her what we really thought.
GOOD: We all refrained from telling her what we really thought.

Usage Note:
refrain from (doing ) sth (fairly formal): 'I suggest that you refrain from making similar statements until you are sure of your facts.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲