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Meaning of abstain
The primary meaning of the word "abstain" is to choose not to do something.
Etymology of abstain
The word "abstain" comes from the Old French word "abstenir", which is derived from the Latin words "ab" meaning "from" or "away from" and "tenere" meaning "to hold".
Historically, the word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the act of refraining from something, often for moral or ethical reasons.
Synonyms
refrain
desist
cease
stop
halt
forbear
avoid
eschew
shun
reject
decline
deny
renounce
relinquish
surrender
abandon
forsake
give up
lay off
leave off
quit
discontinue
suspend
delay
postpone
defer
withhold
reserve
restrain
curb
check
limit
constrain
restrict
prohibit
ban
veto
oppose
resist
dissent
demur
refuse
spurn
repudiate
abjure
Definitions
- To choose not to do something, especially something that you might enjoy, because you think it is not good for you or is not the right thing to do.
- * To formally decline to vote or participate in a decision.
Usage Examples
- The judge had to abstain from the decision because of a conflict of interest.
- * She decided to abstain from drinking alcohol during her pregnancy.
- * The company will abstain from making any further investments in the project.