v.
- prevent from doing something; keep within limits.
▸deprive of freedom of movement or personal liberty.
- repress (a strong emotion).
Derivative
- restrainable adj.
- restrainer n.
- restraining adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. restreign-, stem of restreindre, from L. restringere, from re- ‘back’ + stringere ‘to tie’.