▪ I. † reˈfraining, vbl. n.1 Obs. rare—1.
[f. refrain n.1]
Singing of a refrain; caroling.
| ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 749 Noon..couthe make in song sich refreynynge, It sat hir wondir wel to synge. |
▪ II. refraining, vbl. n.2
(rɪˈfreɪnɪŋ)
[f. refrain v. + -ing1.]
The action or fact of restraining, abstaining, etc.
| c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 20 In fastynge, wakeynge, and in refreynynge of thi flesshly lustis. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xviii. viii. (Bodl. MS.), Þe asse..is [led] heder and þedre..bi refreynynge of þe bernacle. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 45 They profyte moche in y⊇ refreynynge or leuynge of vnlawfull pleasures. 1611 Cotgr., Refrenation, a refraining. 1857 S. Winkworth tr. Life Tauler 56 All her works and refrainings will give her no content. 1875 Whitney Life Lang. xv. 312 The refraining from pushing conclusions beyond what the evidences warrant. |