byword vs refrain

byword

noun
  • An object of notoriety or contempt, scorn or derision. 

  • A nickname or epithet. 

  • Someone or something that stands as an example (i.e. metonymically) for something else, by having some of that something's characteristic traits. 

  • A characteristic word or expression; a word or phrase associated with a person or group. 

  • A proverb or proverbial expression, common saying; a frequently used word or phrase. 

refrain

noun
  • A much repeated comment, complaint, or saying. 

  • The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza. 

verb
  • To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain. 

  • To abstain from (food or drink). 

How often have the words byword and refrain occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )