restraint
rih-STRAYNTnounMeaning control over one’s own actions or feelings; holding back
Memory hook re-STRAIN-t: STRAIN to hold back. The puppy strains and quivers, but it keeps the cookie balanced on its nose until Kai says “OK!” That is restraint.
It took real restraint not to open the presents before Grandma arrived.
In context The referee showed great restraint; though the player yelled at him for a full minute, he answered calmly and simply restarted the game.
Similar self-control, self-discipline, moderation, composure
Opposite indulgence, excess, recklessness
From restrain, which comes through French from Latin restringere, “to draw back tightly”: re- (back) + stringere (to draw tight).