RESTRA'IN, L. restringo re and stringo, to strain. The letter g appears from the participle to be casual stringo, for strigo. Hence strictus, strict, stricture. If the two letters st are removed, the word rigo coincides exactly, in primary sense, with L. rego, rectus, right, and the root of reach, stretch, straight.

1. To hold back to check to hold from action, proceeding or advancing, either by physical or moral force, or by an interposing obstacle. Thus we restrain a horse by a bridle we restrain cattle from wandering by fences we restrain water by dams and dikes we restrain men from crimes and trespasses by laws we restrain young people, when we can, by arguments or counsel we restrain men and their passions we restrain the elements we attempt to restrain vice, but not always with success.
2. To repress to keep in awe as, to restrain offenders.
3. To suppress to hinder or repress as, to restrain excess.
4. To abridge to hinder from unlimited enjoyment as, to restrain one of his pleasure or of his liberty.
5. To limit to confine.

Not only a metaphysical or natural, but a moral universality is also to be restrained by a part of the predicate.

6. To withhold to forbear.

Thou restrainest prayer before God. Job 15 .