Re-strāin', v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. RESTRAINED; p. pr. & vb. n. RESTRAINING.] [Fr. restreindre, O. Fr. restraindre, Pr. restrenher, restringir, Sp. & Pg. restringir, Sp. restriñir, It. restrignere, restringere, ristringere, Lat. restringere, restrictum, from re, again, back, and stringere, to draw, bind, or press together.]
Sense 1. To draw back again; to hold back; to check; to hold from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; — to repress or suppress; to keep down.
Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose. Shak.
Sense 2. To hinder from unlimited enjoyment; to abridge.
Though they two were committed, at least restrained of their liberty, yet this discovered too much of the humor of the court. Clarendon.
Sense 3. To limit; to confine; to restrict.
Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral universality is also to be restrained by a part of the predicate. Watts.
Sense 4. To withhold; to forbear.
Thou restrainest prayer before God. Job xv. 4.
Synonyms— To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb; suppress; coerce; abridge; restrict; limit; confine.