abstention - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education

Definition of abstention

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ab·sten·tion  audio  (b-stnshn, b-) KEY 

NOUN:
  1. The act or habit of deliberate self-denial.
  2. An abstaining vote or voter: 12 ayes, 10 nays, and 8 abstentions.
ETYMOLOGY:
Late Latin abstenti, abstentin-, from abstentus, past participle of Latin abstinre, to hold back ; see abstain


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