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Rein vs Refrain - What's the difference?

rein | refrain |

As a verb rein

is to give.

As a noun refrain is

.

rein

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) reyne, from (etyl) resne (Modern French .

Noun

(en noun)
  • A strap or rope attached to the bridle or bit, used to control a horse, animal or young child.
  • (figurative) An instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing.
  • * Milton
    • Let their eyes rove without rein .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To direct or stop a horse by using reins.
  • * Chapman
    • He mounts and reins his horse.
  • To restrain; to control; to check.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Being once chafed, he cannot / Be reined again to temperance.
    Derived terms
    * rein in

    Derived terms

    * free rein * hold the reins * keep a tight rein on * draw rein * rein back * rein in * rein up * take the reins

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) reines, (etyl) reins, and their source, (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A kidney.
  • *, II.12:
  • *:a man subject to these like imaginations.
  • *1611 , (King James Bible), :
  • *:He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins .
  • The inward impulses; the affections and passions, formerly supposed to be located in the area of the kidneys.
  • *Bible, Proverbs xxiii. 16
  • *:My reins rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
  • *Bible, Revelations ii. 23
  • *:I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts.

    • Anagrams

    * * English words not following the I before E except after C rule ----

    refrain

    English

    Etymology 1

    From a combination of (etyl) refraindre, (etyl) refreindre (from (etyl) refrangere), and (etyl) refrener, (etyl) refrener (from (etyl) refrenare).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (archaic) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).
  • * Proverbs i:15 .
    • Refrain thy foot from their path.
  • (reflexive, archaic) To show restraint; to hold oneself back.
  • * 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , Acts V:
    • And nowe I saye unto you: refrayne youreselves from these men, and let them alone [...].
  • *
    • his reson aperceyueth it wel that it is synne / agayns the lawe of god / and yet his reson / refreyneth nat his foul delit or talent.
  • * Bible, Proverbs i. 15
    • Refrain thy foot from their path.
  • To stop oneself (from) some action or interference; to abstain.
  • * Bible, Acts v. 38
    • Refrain from these men, and let them alone.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • They refrained therefrom [eating flesh] some time after.
  • *
    • Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) refrain, from the (etyl) verb . See refract and the verb refrain.

    Noun

    (wikipedia refrain) (en noun)
  • The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza.
    • We hear the wild refrain . Whittier.
  • A much repeated comment, complaint, or saying.

    • References

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----