refrain
pronunciation
How to pronounce refrain in British English:
UK [rɪˈfreɪn]
How to pronounce refrain in American English:
US [rɪˈfreɪn]
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- Noun:
- the part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers
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- Verb:
- not do something
- choose no to consume
Word Origin
- refrain
- refrain: Refrain ‘chorus of a song’ [14] and refrain ‘desist’ [14] are different words. The former comes via Old French refrain from Provençal refranh. This was a derivative of the verb refranhar, which went back via Vulgar Latin *refrangere to Latin refringere ‘break off’ (source of English refract [17]). The etymological notion underlying the word is that the chorus of a song ‘breaks off’ and then resumes. Refrain ‘desist’ is descended from Latin refrēnāre ‘hold back’, a compound verb formed from the prefix re- ‘back’ and frēnum ‘bridle’. It reached English via Old French refrener.=> fraction, refract
- refrain (v.)
- mid-14c., from Old French refraigner "restrain, repress, keep in check" (12c., Modern French Réfréner), from Latin refrenare "to bridle, hold in with a bit, check, curb, keep down, control," from re- "back" (see re-) + frenare "restrain, furnish with a bridle," from frenum "a bridle." Related: Refrained; refraining.
- refrain (n.)
- late 14c., from Old French refrain "chorus" (13c.), alteration of refrait, noun use of past participle of refraindre "repeat," also "break off," from Vulgar Latin *refrangere "break off," alteration of Latin refringere "break up, break open" (see refraction) by influence of frangere "to break." Influenced in French by cognate Provençal refranhar "singing of birds, refrain." The notion is of something that causes a song to "break off" then resume. OED says not common before 19c.
Example
- 1. Young executives with good ideas refrain from speaking up .
- 2. The rhythm of the prose works off refrain and reprise .
- 3. The refrain maddened him , and he tried to escape from it .
- 4. In conversations with transgender people , again and again , I hear the refrain : enjoy your cake , folks .
- 5. Refrain from ordering any food .