# restraint

Pronunciation: US say "ri-STRAYNT" /ɹɪˈstɹeɪnt/; UK

## Noun

1. Self-control or moderation in how one acts, speaks, or reacts; a holding back of feeling or impulse.
   - Simple: Calm self-control that stops you from doing or saying too much.
   - _The diplomat answered with remarkable restraint despite the hostile questioning._
   - _Years of training gave her the restraint needed to stay calm under pressure._
2. A device or means used to hold, tie, fasten, or secure something or someone in place.
   - Simple: Something used to hold a person or thing in place so it cannot move freely.
   - _Firefighters cut through the restraint pinning the driver to his seat._
   - _The horse strained against its restraints in the narrow stall._

## Origin

This word comes from Middle English restreynte, which was taken from the Old French restreinte, and is connected to the word restrain.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/restraint (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).