Re-strāint’, n.
n. [O. Fr. restreincte, from restreinct, N. Fr. restreint, p. p. of restreindre, restreindre. See supra.]
Sense 1. The act or exercise of restraining, or of holding back or hindering from motion, in any manner; hinderance of the will, or of any action, physical, moral, or mental.
No man was altogether above the restraints of law, and no man altogether below its protection. Macaulay.
Sense 2. That which restrains, as a law, a prohibition, and the like; limitation; restriction.
Say first, what cause Moved our grand parents in that happy state, Favored of Heaven so highly, to fall off From their Creator, and transgress his will, For one restraint, lords of the world besides. Milton.
Synonyms—Repression; hinderance; check; stop; curb; coercion; confinement; limitation; restriction.