Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: Old French
Origin: abstenir, from Latin abstinere, from abs- 'away' + tenere 'to hold'

abstain

 verb
     
Related topics: Voting
ab‧stain [intransitive]
1PPV to choose not to vote for or against something:
Six countries voted for the change, five voted against, and two abstained.
2 to not do or have something you enjoy, especially alcohol or sex, usually for reasons of religion or health
abstain from
Pilots must abstain from alcohol for 24 hours before flying.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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