2 meanings
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1 —as in:
a repeated refrain
Definition
something repeated regularlyespecially:
- lines repeated after each verse of a song
- a phrase or idea often repeated by someone or within a poem
- The song has a catchy refrain.
refrain = lines repeated in a song
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- The principal's refrain is that happy students have self-respect; and self-respect is earned.
- Her refrain is to look for the good in people. I hear her say it and see her do it multiple times each day.
- The constant refrain heard from the party leadership is not to let unachievable perfection become the enemy of good legislation.
- The song's title and refrain was, "This Is Not My Home."Bryan Stevenson -- Just Mercy
- Then I talk back and start contradicting everyone until the old familiar Anne refrain inevitably crops up again: "No one understands me!"Anne Frank -- The Diary of a Young Girl
- This was the refrain we had practiced so often.
"There is risk, I know it, but you have taught me to be careful. I can do this, Mother. I want to."Madeline Miller -- Circe - This morning Wargrave had sat huddled in his chair on the terrace refraining from any overt activity.Agatha Christie -- And Then There Were None
- Theo had begun reading the refrain and ended up singing.Ellen Raskin -- The Westing Game
- "Orgy-porgy," the dancers caught up the liturgical refrain, "Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun, kiss the girls ..."Aldous Huxley -- Brave New World
refrain = something repeated regularly
refrain = something done repeated in a regular manner
refrain = something repeated regularly
refrain = lines repeated in a song
refrain = a phrase often repeated by someone
refrain = something repeated regularly
refraining = avoiding
refrain = lines repeated in a song
refrain = lines repeated in a song
2 —as in:
refrain from laughing
Definition
avoid or resist doing something- Please refrain from swearing.
refrain = avoid or resist
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- You must refrain from personal attacks in this forum.
- I want to refrain from commenting on this matter until I hear both sides of the story.
- How do you refrain from laughing at the wrong time?
- She refrained from hitting him back.
- She refrained. It wouldn't have felt right to steal food from a woman who had left her a dictionary against a windowpane.Markus Zusak -- The Book Thief
- I know I have my own feelings as to who should be chosen as the leader, but I'll refrain from saying at this time so as not to influence any decisions.James Dashner -- The Maze Runner
- Then, Mr. Small got up on the stage and asked everyone to refrain from applause until all the names were read and all the diplomas were handed out.Stephen Chbosky -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Langdon looked as if he wanted to put a comforting hand on her shoulder, but he refrained.Dan Brown -- The Da Vinci Code
- I couldn't refrain from sounding Peter out on the subject, and he instantly replied that Dussel had been lying.Anne Frank -- The Diary of a Young Girl
refrain = avoid
refrain = avoid
refrain = resist
refrained = resisted
refrained = resisted
refrain = avoid
refrain = atop themselves from
refrained = resisted (stopped himself)
refrain = resist
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