Refrain
/rɪˈfreɪn/noun
A repeated line or section in a song or poem; also, to stop oneself from doing something.
Did you know?The modern musical meaning comes from the idea of a line that “holds back” and returns again, while the verb sense of self-restraint comes from the same medieval Latin source.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
refrenare
“to hold back, curb, restrain”
Late Latin
Latin
refrainare
“to restrain again; curb”
Old French
Old French
refrener
“to hold back, check, restrain”
14th Century
English
refrayne
“to restrain oneself; to check or hold back”
15th Century
English
refrain
“a repeated line in poetry or song; a repeated burden”
Modern English
English
refrain
“a repeated line or section in music or poetry; to abstain or hold back from doing something”