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re·frain1

refrain1

 
 
pronunciation:
rih freIn
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: intransitive verb
inflections: refrains, refraining, refrained
definition: to hold oneself back; to not enter into a particular action; desist; forbear (often fol. by "from").
Please refrain from clapping until all the names of the honorees have been read.The police knew who the culprits were, but they refrained from taking action against them.The doctor said he should refrain from drinking alcohol while he's convalescing.
antonyms:
enter
similar words:
abstain, keep, withhold
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