restrained

[ri-streynd] /rɪˈstreɪnd/
adjective
1.
characterized by restraint:
The actor gave a restrained performance.
Origin
1570-80; restrain + -ed2
Related forms
restrainedly, adverb
nonrestrained, adjective

re-strain

[ree-streyn] /riˈstreɪn/
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1.
to strain again.
Origin
1870-75; re- + strain1
Can be confused
re-strain, restrain.

restrain

[ri-streyn] /rɪˈstreɪn/
verb (used with object)
1.
to hold back from action; keep in check or under control; repress:
to restrain one's temper.
2.
to deprive of liberty, as by arrest or the like.
3.
to limit or hamper the activity, growth, or effect of:
to restrain trade with Cuba.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English restreynen < Middle French restreindre < Latin restringere to bind back, bind fast, equivalent to re- re- + stringere to draw together; see strain1
Related forms
restrainable, adjective
restrainability, noun
restrainingly, adverb
overrestrain, verb (used with object)
prerestrain, verb (used with object)
unrestrainable, adjective
Can be confused
refrain, restrain.
re-strain, restrain.
Synonyms
1. bridle, suppress, constrain. See check1 . 2. restrict, circumscribe, confine, hinder, hamper.
Antonyms
1. unbridle. 2. free, liberate.
Examples from the web for restrained
  • The animals fed themselves meals of marshmallows and fruit even when their real arms were restrained.
  • After receiving a transplant of ovarian cancer cells, mice were restrained to cause stress.
  • It redefined modern dance, adding energy, robustness and physicality to traditional restrained moves.
  • Best use is in corners or containers where it need not be restrained.
  • Creamy texture, restrained flavors of cherries and raspberries.
  • As journalists applauded, jostling photographers had to be restrained from rushing the podium.
  • In a down-stay he is completely relaxed, not tense and restrained.
  • Our desire to believe them is restrained only by the will to doubt.
  • His eyes grew instantly bigger as his lips twitched into a coyly restrained grin.
  • But monitoring a more restrained approach might be tough.
British Dictionary definitions for restrained

restrain

/rɪˈstreɪn/
verb (transitive)
1.
to hold (someone) back from some action, esp by force
2.
to deprive (someone) of liberty, as by imprisonment
3.
to limit or restrict
Derived Forms
restrainable, adjective
Word Origin
C14 restreyne, from Old French restreindre, from Latin rēstringere to draw back tightly, from re- + stringere to draw, bind; see strain1

restrained

/rɪˈstreɪnd/
adjective
1.
(of a person or person's manner) calm and unemotional
2.
(of clothes, décor, etc) subtle and tasteful
Derived Forms
restrainedly (rɪˈstreɪnɪdlɪ) adverb
Word Origin and History for restrained
adj.

"repressed, kept under control," 1570s, past participle adjective from restrain.

restrain

v.

mid-14c., from stem of Old French restreindre "press, push together; curb, bridle; bandage" (12c.), from Latin restringere "draw back tightly, confine, check" (see restriction). Related: Restrained; restraining.

That which we restrain we keep within limits; that which we restrict we keep within certain definite limits; that which we repress we try to put out of existence. [Century Dictionary, 1902]

re-strain

v.

"strain again," 1874, from re- + strain (v.). Related: Re-strained; re-straining.