[syn: intimidate, restrain]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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.
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Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature
Gives way to in repose! --Shak.
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2. To draw back toghtly, as a rein. [Obs.] --Shak.
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3. To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge.
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Though they two were committed, at least restrained
of their liberty. --Clarendon.
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4. To limit; to confine; to restrict. --Trench.
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Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral,
universality also is to be restrained by a part of
the predicate. --I. Watts.
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5. To withhold; to forbear.
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Thou restrained prayer before God. --Job. xv. 4.
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Syn: To check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb;
suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
restrain
v 1: keep under control; keep in check; "suppress a smile";
"Keep your temper"; "keep your cool" [syn: restrain,
keep, keep back, hold back]
2: place limits on (extent or access); "restrict the use of this
parking lot"; "limit the time you can spend with your
friends" [syn: restrict, restrain, 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: restrain, confine, hold]
4: hold back [syn: restrain, encumber, cumber,
constrain]
5: to compel or deter by or as if by threats [syn: intimidate,
restrain]