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abstain
[ ab-steyn ]
verb (used without object)
- to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy (usually followed by from ):
to abstain from eating meat.
Synonyms: cease, desist, forbear
Antonyms: indulge
- to refrain from casting one's vote:
a referendum in which two delegates abstained.
abstain
/ əbˈsteɪn /
verb
- to choose to refrain
he abstained from alcohol
- to refrain from voting, esp in a committee, legislature, etc
Derived Forms
- abˈstainer, noun
Other Words From
- nonab·staining adjective
- over·ab·stain verb (used without object)
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of abstain1
Example Sentences
As part of this practice, Muslims abstain from food, water, smoking, sex and all sensory pleasures from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Metro board member Michael Goldman, who represents Maryland, abstained from the vote, saying the transit agency should switch completely to electric-bus purchases starting next year.
Soon-Shiong, who had told The Post as recently as midweek that he hadn’t yet decided how he was going to vote on the offer, ended up abstaining from voting.
He would drink and take drugs to “feel less of what I was feeling,” estimating that, even if he abstained during the week, he would drink a week’s worth in one day on a Friday or Saturday night.
Maybe they’re abstaining because they had severe alcohol-use disorders in the past, and this has led to health conditions.
In fact, I publicly vowed to abstain from The Ball in 2012, but professional responsibilities and curiosity got the better of me.
But the two also could abstain from caucusing with either party and possibly have even more clout.
So is everyone around you, even if you find a way to abstain.
Pollsters have been predicting disillusioned leftist voters are particularly likely to abstain.
Users then have the option to vote for or against each law, or simply abstain.
It is not the right of any one, according to his pleasure, to abstain from entering into Covenant with God.
Let it be put forth in leading to abstain from countenancing an evil constitution, and to raise above the fear of consequences.
So the campers obtained fresh meat, and all were very glad to abstain awhile from bacon.
It is therefore obligatory upon us to abstain as far as possible from referring to expressions that are calculated to alarm.
In concluding this notice of Roe, I cannot refrain from expressing a hope that gentlemen will abstain from the use of it.
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