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refrains

re·frain
R r

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [ri-freyn]
    • /rɪˈfreɪn/
    • /rɪˈfreɪn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ri-freyn]
    • /rɪˈfreɪn/

Definitions of refrains word

  • verb without object refrains to abstain from an impulse to say or do something (often followed by from): I refrained from telling him what I thought. 1
  • verb with object refrains Archaic. to curb. 1
  • noun refrains a phrase or verse recurring at intervals in a song or poem, especially at the end of each stanza; chorus. 1
  • noun refrains Music. a musical setting for the refrain of a poem. any melody. the principal, recurrent section of a rondo. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of refrains

First appearance:

before 1300
One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; Middle English refreinen < Old French refrener < Latin refrēnāre to bridle, equivalent to re- re- + frēn(um) bridle + -āre infinitive suffix

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Refrains

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

refrains popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 64% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

refrains usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for refrains

noun refrains

verb refrains

  • curbs — Plural form of curb.
  • declines — Plural form of decline.
  • fasts — Plural form of fast.
  • forbears — Plural form of forbear.

Antonyms for refrains

verb refrains

  • addresses — a speech or written statement, usually formal, directed to a particular group of persons: the president's address on the state of the economy.
  • advances — personal overtures made in an attempt to become friendly, gain a favour, etc
  • calls — Plural form of call.
  • canaries — Plural form of canary.
  • collogues — Third-person singular simple present indicative form of collogue.

noun refrains

See also

Matching words

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