Hypertext Webster Gateway: "restrain"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Restrain \Re*strain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Restrained}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Restraining}.] [OE. restreinen, F. restreindre, fr.
L. restringere, restrictum; pref. re- re- + stringere to
draw, bind, or press together. See {Strain}, v. t., and cf.
{Restrict}.]
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 nature Gives
way to in repose! --Shak.

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.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

restrain
v 1: keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile"; "Keep
your temper"; "keep your cool" [syn: {suppress}, {keep},
{keep back}, {hold back}]
2: place limits on; "restrict the use of this parking lot"
[syn: {restrict}, {trammel}, {limit}, {bound}, {confine},
{throttle}]
3: to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
"This holds the local until the express passengers change
trains"; "About a dozen animals were held inside the
stockade"; "The illegal immigrants were held at a
detention center"; "The terrorists held the journalists
for ransom" [syn: {confine}, {hold}]
4: hold back [syn: {encumber}, {cumber}, {constrain}]
5: to compel or deter by or as if by threats [syn: {intimidate}]


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