Crossword Dictionary
RESTRAIN
restrain, confine, hold - v
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"
Synonyms
confine, constrain, curb, curtail, detain, deter, govern, hamper, hinder, inhibit, keep down, kill, limit, prevent, repress, restrict, subdue, suppress
Example
The acts were directed to restrain the lending of money at usurious rates.
Princess Mary could no longer restrain herself and wept while she gazed at his face.
The South African governments foresaw dangerous developments in the Ethiopian movement, and steps were taken to restrain its growth.
Etymology
mid-14c., restreinen, "to stop, prevent, curb" (a vice, purpose, appetite, desire), from stem of Old French restraindre, restreindre "to press, push together; curb, bridle; bandage" (12c.), from Latin restringere "draw back tightly, tie back; confine, check" (see restriction).