1. A heavy load to carry; SYN. load, weight, onus.
2. An onerous or difficult concern; SYN. load, encumbrance, incumbrance, onus.
3. The central idea that is expanded in a document or discourse.

ETYM French refrain, from Old Fren. refraindre; cf. Pr. refranhs a refrain, refranher to repeat. Related to Refract,Refrain.
The part of a song where a soloist is joined by a group of singers; SYN. chorus.