| tr.v.  re·strict·ed, re·strict·ing, re·stricts  1.  To keep or confine within physical limits: The inmates are restricted to their cells for 23 hours each day. Food consumption is restricted to the cafeteria. 2.  To prevent or prohibit beyond a certain limit or by restriction: The law restricts the use of pesticides. The program restricts unauthorized users from accessing the data. See Synonyms at  limit. [Latin restringere, restrict- : re-, re- + stringere, to draw tight; see  streig- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] re·strictor,  re·stricter n. | 
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