refrain Definition

refrain¹
noun

1. A phrase or group of lines repeated at the end of each stanza or verse in a poem or song.
2. The music for such a phrase or group of lines.

Etymology: 14c: French, from refraindre, from Latin frangere to break.

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refrain²
verb

intr
refrained, refraining
1. To keep oneself from acting in some way or doing something; to avoid it.

Thesaurus: abstain, forbear, eschew, avoid, renounce, cease, desist, stop, quit, swear off.
Form: refrain from something (usually)

Etymology: 14c: from French refréner, from Latin refrenare to check with a bridle, from frenum a bridle.