Restrain

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To draw back again; to hold back from acting, proceeding, or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by any interposing obstacle; to repress or suppress; to keep down; to curb. Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose! Shak.

2. To draw back toghtly, as a rein. [Obs.] Shak.

3. To hinder from unlimited enjoiment; to abridge. Though they two were committed, at least restrained of their liberty. Clarendon.

4. To limit; to confine; to restrict. Trench. Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral, universality also is to be restrained by a part of the predicate. I. Watts.

5. To withhold; to forbear. Thou restrained prayer before God. Job. xv. 4.

Synonyms: check; hinder; stop; withhold; repress; curb; suppress; coerce; restrict; limit; confine.