abstention

[ ab-sten-shuh n ]
/ æbˈstɛn ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR abstention ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of abstaining.
withholding of a vote.

Origin of abstention

1515–25; < Late Latin abstentiōn- (stem of abstentiō), equivalent to Latin abstent(us), past participle of abstinēre to abstain + -iōn- -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM abstention

ab·sten·tious, adjective non·ab·sten·tion, noun un·ab·sten·tious, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abstention

abstention abstinence

Words nearby abstention

absorptivity, absquatulate, abstain, abstainer, abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent, abstersive, abstinence, abstinence syndrome

Words related to abstentious

restrained, celibate, ascetic, abstinent, abstemious, continent, moderate, austere, inhibited, modest, sober, temperate, bridled, curbed

British Dictionary definitions for abstentious

abstention
/ (əbˈstɛnʃən) /

noun

a voluntary decision not to act; the act of refraining or abstaining
the act of withholding one's vote

Derived forms of abstention

abstentious, adjective

Word Origin for abstention

C16: from Late Latin abstentiōn-, from Latin abstinēre. See abstain