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| re·straint [ ri stráynt ] (plural re·straints) |
noun |
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| Definition: |
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1. holding back: an act or the quality of holding back, limiting, or controlling something
 Although severely provoked, she showed admirable restraint in not retaliating.
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2. restraining thing: something that controls or limits somebody or something
 impose trade restraints
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3. holding device: something that is fastened to limit somebody's freedom of movement
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| [14th century. < Old French restreinte, form of past participle of restreindre (see restrain)] |