Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Restrain
Re-strain′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Restrained
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Restraining
.] 1.
To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb.
Restrain
in me the cursed thoughts that natureGives way to in repose!
Shakespeare
2.
To draw back toghtly, as a rein.
[Obs.]
Shak.
3.
To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.
Though they two were committed, at least
restrained
of their liberty. Clarendon.
4.
To limit; to confine; to restrict.
Trench.
Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral, universality also is to be
restrained
by a part of the predicate. I. Watts.
5.
To withhold; to forbear.
Thou
restrained
prayer before God. Job. xv. 4.
Syn. – To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb; suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine.
Webster 1828 Edition
Restrain
RESTRA'IN
,Verb.
T.
1.
To hold back; to check; to hold from action, proceeding or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by an interposing obstacle. Thus we restrain a horse by a bridle; we restrain cattle from wandering by fences; we restrain water by dams and dikes; we restrain men from crimes and trespasses by laws; we restrain young people, when we can, by arguments or counsel; we restrain men and their passions; we restrain the elements; we attempt to restrain vice, but not always with success.2.
To repress; to keep in awe; as, to restrain offenders.3.
To suppress; to hinder or repress; as, to restrain excess.4.
To abridge; to hinder from unlimited enjoyment; as, to restrain one of his pleasure or of his liberty.5.
To limit; to confine.Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral universality is also to be restrained by a part of the predicate.
6.
To withhold; to forbear.Thou restrainest prayer before God. Job 15.
Definition 2025
restrain
restrain
English
Verb
restrain (third-person singular simple present restrains, present participle restraining, simple past and past participle restrained)
- (transitive) To control or keep in check.
- (transitive) To deprive of liberty.
- (transitive) To restrict or limit.
- 2013 May 17, George Monbiot, “Money just makes the rich suffer”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 23, page 19:
- In order to grant the rich these pleasures, the social contract is reconfigured. […] The public realm is privatised, the regulations restraining the ultra-wealthy and the companies they control are abandoned, and Edwardian levels of inequality are almost fetishised.
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Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
to control or keep in check
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to deprive of liberty
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to restrict or limit
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