Definition of abstain

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< absquatulate

abstemious >

ab·stain    (b-stn, b-) KEY 

intr.v.
ab·stained, ab·stain·ing, ab·stains

1. To refrain from something by one's own choice: abstain from traditional political rhetoric. See Synonyms at refrain¹.
2. To refrain from voting: Forty senators voted in favor of the bill, 45 voted against it, and 15 abstained.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English absteinen, to avoid, from Old French abstenir, from Latin abstinre, to hold back : abs-, ab-, away ; see ab-¹ + tenre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
ab·stainer(Noun)