Restraint \Re*straint"\, n. [OF. restraincte, fr. restrainct, F. restreint, p. p. of restraindre, restrendre. See Restrain.]

1. The act or process of restraining, or of holding back or hindering from motion or action, in any manner; hindrance of the will, or of any action, physical or mental.

No man was altogether above the restrains of law, and no man altogether below its protection. --Macaulay.

2. The state of being restrained.

3. That which restrains, as a law, a prohibition, or the like; limitation; restriction.

For one restraint, lords of the world besides. --Milton.

Syn: Repression; hindrance; check; stop; curb;?oercion; confinement; limitation; restriction.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)