n. One who or that which restrains; specifically, in photography, a chemical which is added to the developer for the purpose of retaá¹™ding its action, especially in the case of an over-exposed plate, or in order to obtain greater contrast or intensity in a naturally weak plate. Acids, sodium sulphite, bromides, and other substances act as restrainers.n. Specifically, in electricity, a substance used in the manufacture of the electrodes of magnetite arc-lamps the function of which is to reduce the rate at which the terminals are consumed.