As a Noun: 1. Calm, controlled and unemotional behaviour. English = restraint. 2. The ability to control your emotions and remain calm, particularly when those emotions could easily be very strong. English = restraint, self control. 3. The inability to express your emotions or the inability to behave naturally and to show your real feelings. English = inhibition. As a Verb or Adjective: 1. To stop you from doing what you were going to do. English = restrain. Idiomatic English = hold back. 2. To stop yourself from doing what you were going to do, especially if you were about to express strong emotions about something. English = restrain oneself. Idiomatic English = hold oneself back. 3. To be in control of your emotions, to be very calm and unemotional. English = (be) restrained, (be) self controlled. 4. To be unable to express your emotions, to be unable to behave naturally and to show your real feelings. English = (be) inhibited.