Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Refrain \Re*frain"\ (r?*fr?n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Refrained}
   (-fr?nd"); p. pr. & vb/ n. {Refraining}.] [OE. refreinen, OF.
   refrener, F. refr?ner, fr. L. refrenare; influenced by OF.
   refraindre to restrain, moderate, fr. LL. refrangere, for L.
   refringere to break up, break (see {Refract}). L. refrenare
   is fr. pref. re- back + frenum bridle; cf. Skr. dh? to hold.]
   1. To hold back; to restrain; to keep within prescribed
      bounds; to curb; to govern.

            His reson refraineth not his foul delight or talent.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            Refrain thy foot from their path.     --Prov. i. 15.

   2. To abstain from [Obs.]

            Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no
            other counsel than to refrain cold drink. --Sir T.
                                                  Browne.