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1. Dictionary

   re·frain

   /rəˈfrān/

   noun

   • 1. 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: "he would play the refrain"
   • ▪ a comment or complaint that is often repeated: "“Poor Tom” had become the constant refrain of his friends"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from refraindre ‘break’, based on Latin refringere ‘break up’ (because the refrain ‘broke’ the sequence).

   Scrabble Points: 10

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › refrainRefrain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › refrain

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   noun. 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. Synonyms. Verb. abjure. abstain (from) forbear. forgo. forego. keep (from) withhold (from)

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishREFRAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   REFRAIN definition: 1. to avoid doing or stop yourself from doing something: 2. a short part of a song or poem that is…. Learn more.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › refrainREFRAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › refrain

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   Refrain definition: to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed by from). See examples of REFRAIN used in a sentence.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › refrainRefrain - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › 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.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryREFRAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   REFRAIN meaning: 1. to avoid doing or stop yourself from doing something: 2. a short part of a song or poem that is…. Learn more.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishrefrain verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of refrain verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

8. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishREFRAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   1. verb. If you refrain from doing something, you deliberately do not do it. Mrs Hardie refrained from making any comment. [VERB + from] He appealed to all factions to refrain from violence. [V from -ing/n] Synonyms: stop, avoid, give up, cease More Synonyms of refrain. 2. countable noun.

9. www.thefreedictionary.com › refrainRefrain - definition of refrain by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › refrain

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   1. a. A phrase, verse, or group of verses repeated at intervals throughout a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza. b. Music for the refrain of a song. 2. A song or melody. 3. A repeated utterance or theme.

10. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishREFRAIN | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

    dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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    REFRAIN definition: 1. to stop yourself from doing something: 2. a phrase or idea that you repeat often: 3. a part of…. Learn more.

11. www.oed.com › dictionary › refrain_n1refrain, n.¹ meanings, etymology and more - Oxford English...

    www.oed.com › dictionary › refrain_n1

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    Meaning & use. 1. An utterance, phrase, or theme that is often repeated… 2. A repeated line or number of lines in a poem or song… 3. A repeated piece of music; spec. the music accompanying the… rare before 19th cent. 1. a1413–. An utterance, phrase, or theme that is often repeated; (now) spec. a repeated comment or complaint. a1413 (c1385)