refrain1
v.
(
usu. refrain from)
stop oneself from doing something.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. refrener, from L. refrenare, from re- (expressing intensive force) + frenum ‘bridle’.
refrain2
n.
a repeated line or number of lines in a poem or song, typically at the end of each verse.
▸the musical accompaniment for a refrain.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., from refraindre ‘break’, based on L. refringere ‘break up’ (because the refrain ‘broke’ the sequence).