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To ravage; to prevail without restraint, or with destruction or fatal effect; as, the plague raged in Cairo.

To rove at large; to wander without restraint or direction; to roam. Like a ranging spaniel that barks at every bird he sees. Burton.

the redemption of a prisoner, or for goods captured by an enemy; payment for freedom from restraint, penalty, or forfeit. Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems. Milton. His captivity in Austria, and the heavy ransom he paid for his liberty. Sir J. Davies/.

Hence, an instrument or means of curbing, restraining, or governing; government; restraint. "Let their eyes rove without rein." Milton. To give rein, To give the rein to, to give license to; to leave withouut restrain. -- To take the reins, to take the guidance or government; to assume control.

To let loose again; to set free from restraint, confinement, or servitude; to give liberty to, or to set at liberty; to let go. Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. Mark xv. 6.

That which represses; check; restraint.

free or deliver from any confinement, violence, danger, or evil; to liberate from actual restraint; to remove or withdraw from a state of exposure to evil; as, to rescue a prisoner from the enemy; to rescue seamen from destruction. Had I been seized by a hungry lion, I would have been a breakfast to the best, Rather t…

Restraint of freedom in words or actions; backwardness; caution in personal behavior. My soul, surprised, and from her sex disjoined, Left all reserve, and all the sex, behind. Prior. The clergyman's shy and sensitive reserve had balked this scheme. Hawthorne.

With restraint. Hammond.

That which restricts; limitation; restraint; as, restrictions on trade.

That which retains or confines; a restraint. [R.] Bp. Hall.

To move playfully; to indulge without restraint. "Where joy most revels." Shak.

persons in the execution of some private object. To run riot, to act wantonly or without restraint.

To let go by the run (Naut.), to loosen and let run freely, as lines; to let fall without restraint, as a sail.

One who, or that which, flees from danger, duty, restraint, etc.; a fugitive. Thou runaway, thou coward, art thou fled Shak.

Control of one's self; restraint exercised over one's self; self-command.

Indulgence of one's appetites, desires, or inclinations; -- the opposite of self-restraint, and self-denial.

One who has shaken off restraint; a prodigal. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

The act of sparing; moderation; restraint. [Obs.] Killing for sacrifice, without any spare. Holland.

Restraint of passion; moderation; caution; steadiness; sobriety. [Obs.] "Not grudging that thy lust hath bounds and stays." Herbert. The wisdom, stay, and moderation of the king. Bacon. With prudent stay he long deferred The rough contention. Philips.