Things that limit or prevent movement or behavior, like ropes, belts, or rules that control actions.
From Old French 'restreindre' meaning 'to restrict,' derived from Latin 're-' (back) and 'stringere' (to draw tight). The physical meaning came before the abstract one.
The word 'strain' is hidden in restraints—both literally mean pulling tight, whether it's a rope holding something back or the mental effort of controlling your impulses!
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