define refrain

1 : a regularly recurring phrase or verse especially at the end of each stanza or division of a poem or song : chorus also : the musical setting of a refrain. 2 : a comment or statement that is often repeated.

What is the synonym of refrain?

Synonyms for refrain (from) abjure, abstain (from), forbear, forgo.

How do you use refrain?

Use the verb refrain if you have a sudden impulse to do something and you have stopped yourself from doing it. It’s usually hard to refrain from doing something: you might find it difficult to refrain from eating dessert after dinner, for example — especially when your aunt makes her double chocolate chunk brownies.

What is example of refrain?

But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” Frost has used refrain in only the last stanza that he repeats twice as “And miles to go before I sleep.” It gives rhythm to the poem and lay emphasis on this idea of doing many things before dying.

Is refrain A polite word?

You also see refrain used in less intimate contexts when it’s incumbent on the speaker to be polite—when, for example, someone is issuing instructions to customers.

Is refrain the same as avoid?

Refrain is to resist doing. Avoid is to stay clear from. Show activity on this post. “To refrain” is to hold something back.

What is the opposite of refrain?

Opposite of stop oneself from doing something. aid. allow. assist. continue.

Is refrain a rude word?

It’s a polite, but formal, way of wording the request. In some situations, it can be an indication that they think you are being rude by doing the thing, and they want to remind you of your manners! No, there’s no implication that you want to do it.

What word means to stay away from?

avoid. verbrefrain or stay away from; prevent. abstain. avert. bypass.

Does refrain mean not allowed?

refrain verb [I] (NOT DO)

to not let yourself do something: Please refrain from talking during the lecture.

Can you refrain someone?

Archaically, refrain was used transitively as a synonym for restrain (meaning you could refrain someone else, not just yourself), but this usage has been dropped from modern English and is no longer correct.

What does tri mean in trivial?

Trivial can also describe something that isn’t deep or meaningful, like a trivial movie that you’ll forget about after the credits roll. It comes from the Latin word trivium: tri means “three” and via is “road.” So a trivium is a “place where three roads meet,” meaning a crossroads — just something ordinary.

How long is a refrain?

A refrain is short, usually 1- or 2-lines long. The way the verse progression and melody end. With a refrain, the verse will often end on a non-tonic chord, requiring the refrain to help bring it to a proper close.

What does love refrain mean?

“The memory of love’s refrain” is the perfect way to describe how you feel when your heart reminds you of someone special… especially when that person can’t be with you any more, and you can’t be with them. It might be love gone wrong. It might be someone’s passing.

What is an example of a couplet?

A couplet is two lines of poetry that usually rhyme. Here’s a famous couplet: “Good night! Good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow / That I shall say good night till it be morrow.”

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