abstention

[ ab-sten-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of abstaining.
2. withholding of a vote.

abstention

/ əbˈstɛnʃən /

noun

1. a voluntary decision not to act; the act of refraining or abstaining
2. the act of withholding one's vote

Derived Forms

• abˈstentious, adjective

Other Words From

• ab·stentious adjective
• nonab·stention noun
• unab·stentious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstention¹

1515–25; < Late Latin abstentiōn- (stem of abstentiō ), equivalent to Latin abstent ( us ), past participle of abstinēre to abstain + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of abstention¹

C16: from Late Latin abstentiōn-, from Latin abstinēre. See abstain

Example Sentences

For most of us, the best response to these risks is not complete abstention, but moderate and communal enjoyment of beer and wine.

From Time

Israel's ambassador to Germany, Yakov Hadas-Handelsmann, expressed his surprise about Germany's U.N. abstention.

From The Daily Beast

In this circumstance, an abstention was unfavorable to Israel.

From The Daily Beast

The total number of voters in Venezuela is 18 million, and 25 percent abstention is expected.

From The Daily Beast

Coined the 'Janopause' by the Daily Mail, it requires just one month of abstention.

From The Daily Beast

A second diplomat told the Daily Beast that a Chinese abstention may be "inevitable."

From The Daily Beast

But M. Nicklauss, with his great experience of the world, deemed this almost general abstention of the fair sex unnatural.

From Project Gutenberg

He has not been there since, and the following pages will perhaps explain the reason of his abstention.

From Project Gutenberg

The abstention of a single sense from the coupling is enough to enfeeble the pleasure very greatly.

From Project Gutenberg

A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity in the affairs of others.

From Project Gutenberg

If he were not going to build on the ground so carefully prepared, to what end this wariness and this abstention?

From Project Gutenberg