KJV dictionary & concordance
1. To hold back or restrain oneself or something. 2. To abstain or keep away from.
Definition sources
First occurrence: Genesis 45:1
Complete exact-word concordance
THEN Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.
¶ Then Ioseph could not refraine himselfe before all them that stood by him: and he cried, Cause euery man to goe out from me; and there stood no man with him, while Ioseph made himselfe knowen vnto his brethren.
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Therefore I will not refraine my mouth, I wil speake in the anguish of my spirit, I will complaine in the bitternesse of my soule.
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
My sonne, walke not thou in the way with them; refraine thy foot from their path:
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together: a time to imbrace, and a time to refraine from imbracing.
1611 marginal noteHeb. to be farre from.
¶ For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.
¶ For my names sake will I deferre mine anger, and for my praise will I refraine for thee, that I cut thee not off.
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?
Wilt thou refraine thy selfe for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict vs very sore?
Thus saith the Lord; refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
Thus saith the LORD; Refraine thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from teares: for thy worke shall be rewarded, saith the LORD, and they shall come againe from the land of the enemie.
And now I say unto you, refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
And now I say vnto you, refraine from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsell or this worke be of men, it will come to nought.
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
For hee that will loue life, and see good dayes, let him refraine his tongue from euil, and his lips that they speake no guile:
1611 marginal notePsal. 34.13.
Source order
Historical English dictionary sources
To restrain, keep back, or put a check upon.
