Restrain
[rɪ'streɪn] or [rɪ'stren]
Definition
(verb.) hold back.
(verb.) 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'.
(verb.) keep under control; keep in check; 'suppress a smile'; 'Keep your temper'; 'keep your cool'.
Editor: Stu--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) 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.
(v. t.) To draw back toghtly, as a rein.
(v. t.) To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.
(v. t.) To limit; to confine; to restrict.
(v. t.) To withhold; to forbear.
Editor: Melinda
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Check, curb, bridle, repress, suppress, withhold, constrain, cramp, interdict, keep, contain, hold back, hold in, keep under.[2]. Hinder, prevent, debar, bar, stop, prohibit.[3]. Limit, confine, restrict, circumscribe.
Checked by Andrew
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Check, repress, hinder, limit, confine, restrict, withhold, curb, coerce,prohibit, narrow, circumscribe, reduce
ANT:Promote, advance, urge, incite, aid, liberate, indulge, loose, vent, amplify,enlarge, expand, extend
Inputed by Eleanor
Definition
v.t. to hold back: to check: to withhold to forbid: to hinder: to limit.—adj. Restrain′able capable of being restrained.—adv. Restrain′edly.—n. Restrain′er (phot.) a chemical used to retard the act of the developer in an overexposed plate &c.—p.adj. Restrain′ing.—ns. Restrain′ment; Restraint′ act of restraining: state of being restrained: want of liberty: limitation: hinderance: reserve; Restraint′-bed -chair used for the insane.
Checked by Balder
Examples
- It seemed to me that he was making desperate efforts to restrain a convulsive attack of laughter. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Restrain him,' cried Mr. Snodgrass; 'Winkle, Tupman--he must not peril his distinguished life in such a cause as this. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Next day Alexander departed with his mother--and Philip did nothing to restrain them. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- As far as possible he must confine himself to facts and restrain his opinions. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He is the son of a miserly oligarch, and has been taught by him to restrain the love of unnecessary pleasures. Plato. The Republic.
- The usual corporation spirit, wherever the law does not restrain it, prevails in all regulated companies. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- When he did begin to restrain himself, it was that he might spare her. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- Selden continued with a smile: You see no such scruples restrained me; but then I haven't as much to risk if I incur your displeasure. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Every one now sat down, Mr. Bulstrode presiding, pale and self-restrained as usual. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Martin threw a strange look at him, and trembled through all his slight lad's frame; but he restrained himself. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- But I was restrained, when I thought of the heroic and suffering Elizabeth, whom I tenderly loved, and whose existence was bound up in mine. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- My uncle was almost persuaded that you were indeed dangerously ill, and could hardly be restrained from undertaking a journey to Ingolstadt. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- Jo wanted to laugh, but restrained herself and said warmly, for she too, was getting excited with all this, Don't swear, Teddy! Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- It is full time, said De Bracy, that the 'outrecuidance' [19] of these peasants should be restrained by some striking example. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I thank you for restraining me just now. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- This is a sumptuary law, too, restraining the luxury and extravagance of the poor. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- I had no difficulty in restraining my voice from exclamation, my step from hasty advance. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I kept over him as a child, in the days of his first remembrance, my restraining and correcting hand. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- After the institution of feudal subordination, the king was as incapable of restraining the violence of the great lords as before. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The frenzy was so violent, that I had not unfastened the bandages restraining the arms; but, I had looked to them, to see that they were not painful. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- Restraining influence, Mr Twemlow? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- It restrains the circulation of each particular company within a narrower circle, and reduces their circulating notes to a smaller number. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Allan restrains the woman, merely by a quiet gesture, but effectually. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- A long term of apprenticeship restrains it more indirectly, but as effectually, by increasing the expense of education. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The limitation of the number of apprentices restrains it directly. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- It is the fear of losing their employment which restrains his frauds and corrects his negligence. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Moore restrains them with admirable prudence. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Checker: Paulette