1. (often restraints) a measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control or within limits:

〖通例～s〗 «…に対する» 制限［禁止］条項 «on»

e.g. decisions are made within the financial restraints of the budget.

the action of keeping someone or something under control:

«…の» 抑制, 制限; 禁止 «on»

e.g. a policy of restraint in public spending.

deprivation or restriction of personal liberty or freedom of movement:

束縛, 拘束; 監禁.

e.g. he remained aggressive and required physical restraint.

a device which limits or prevents freedom of movement:

シートベルト; 拘束器具［手段］.

e.g. car safety restraints.

2. unemotional, dispassionate, or moderate behavior; self-control:

«…についての» 自制, 慎み; 遠慮(reserve); (表現などの)控えめ, 節度 «in»

e.g. he urged the protesters to exercise restraint.

understatement, especially of artistic expression:

e.g. with strings and piano, all restraint vanished.

late Middle English: from Old French restreinte, feminine past participle of restreindre ‘hold back’ (see restrain).