abstain

[ ab-steyn ]
/ æbˈsteɪn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR abstain ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy (usually followed by from): to abstain from eating meat.
to refrain from casting one's vote: a referendum in which two delegates abstained.

Origin of abstain

1350–1400; Middle English abste(i)nen < Middle French abstenir ≪ Latin abstinēre, equivalent to abs- abs- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold, keep

OTHER WORDS FROM abstain

non·ab·stain·ing, adjective o·ver·ab·stain, verb (used without object)

Words nearby abstain

absorption hygrometer, absorption spectrum, absorptive, absorptivity, absquatulate, abstain, abstainer, abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent

Words related to abstaining

quit, renounce, refrain, withhold, forgo, cease, shun, forbear, decline, refuse, spurn, avoid, eschew, stop, fast, abjure, curb, evade, pass, constrain

Example sentences from the Web for abstaining

British Dictionary definitions for abstaining

abstain
/ (əbˈsteɪn) /

verb (intr usually foll by from)

to choose to refrain he abstained from alcohol
to refrain from voting, esp in a committee, legislature, etc

Derived forms of abstain

abstainer, noun

Word Origin for abstain

C14: via Old French from Latin abstinēre, from abs- ab- 1 + tenēre to hold, keep