refrain
UK[rɪˈfreɪn]US[rɪˈfreɪn]
v
To stop yourself from doing something, especially something you want to do.
n
A phrase or verse that is repeated regularly in a song or poem.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
frain
re
back, again
frain
to hold, to break
Etymology
The word "refrain" entered English via Old French refrener, which itself descended from the Latin verb refrenare, meaning "to bridle, to curb, or to restrain." This Latin term is a compound of the prefix re- ("back") and frenum ("a bridle"). The literal image is of pulling back on a horse's bridle to hold it in check. Over time, this concrete sense of physical restraint evolved into the modern abstract meaning of holding oneself back from an action. The noun sense, referring to a repeated line in poetry or music, developed from the idea of a line "holding back" or returning at intervals, influenced by the related Old French noun refrait (a chorus).
Analysis
Structure: re (back, again) + frain (to hold, to break)
- re: Latin origin. A prefix meaning "back" or "again." In this word, it conveys the sense of "holding back."
- frain: Latin origin, from frenum (bridle, curb). It functions as the root meaning "to hold, to check, or to break."
Examples
Please refrain from talking during the performance.
The doctor advised him to refrain from eating fatty foods.
The song's catchy refrain stayed in my head all day.