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View synonyms for

abstain

[ ab-steyn ]

verb (used without object)

  1. to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy (usually followed by from ):

    to abstain from eating meat.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. to refrain from casting one's vote:

    a referendum in which two delegates abstained.



abstain

/ əˈٱɪ /

verb

  1. to choose to refrain

    he abstained from alcohol

  2. to refrain from voting, esp in a committee, legislature, etc
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٲԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ԴDza·ٲiԲ adjective
  • v··ٲ verb (used without object)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abstain1

1350–1400; Middle English abste ( i ) nen < Middle French abstenir Latin پŧ, equivalent to abs- abs- + -پŧ, combining form of ٱŧ to hold, keep
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Word History and Origins

Origin of abstain1

C14: via Old French from Latin پŧ, from abs- ab- 1+ ٱŧ to hold, keep
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dozens of Labour MPs abstained in a vote on the amendment which was put forward by crossbench peer Lord Alton when the Great British Energy Bill was in the House of Lords.

From

With Reform UK currently on track to return its first MSPs at next year's Holyrood election, Kerr said his party may abstain on any vote to select the next first minister.

From

Its various definitions throughout the history of language make clear that, whether by going away, retreating from or abstaining from having to do with, to leave is, essentially, to allow to survive.

From

In June of 1990, he left Peru, vowing to “abstain” from electoral politics.

From

In the context of the US two-party system, they tend to abstain and withdraw from public life.

From

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ABS resinabstainer