abstain

[ ab-steyn ]
/ æbˈsteɪn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR abstain ON THESAURUS.COM

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.
to refrain from casting one's vote: a referendum in which two delegates abstained.

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What does “vacillate” mean?
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute.
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to assent tacitly; agree; consent.
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Origin of abstain

1350–1400; Middle English abste(i)nen<Middle French abstenir ≪ Latin abstinēre, equivalent to abs-abs- + -tinēre, combining form of tenēre to hold, keep

OTHER WORDS FROM abstain

non·ab·stain·ing, adjectiveo·ver·ab·stain, verb (used without object)

Words nearby abstain

absorption spectrum, absorptive, absorptivity, absquatulate, ABS resin, abstain, abstainer, abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to abstain

quit, renounce, refrain, withhold, forgo, cease, shun, pass up, forbear, decline, refuse, spurn, avoid, eschew, stop, fast, abjure, curb, evade, pass

Example sentences from the Web for abstain

British Dictionary definitions for abstain

abstain
/ (əbˈsteɪn) /

verb (intr usually foll by from)

to choose to refrainhe abstained from alcohol
to refrain from voting, esp in a committee, legislature, etc

Derived forms of abstain

abstainer, noun

Word Origin for abstain

C14: via Old French from Latin abstinēre, from abs- ab- 1 + tenēre to hold, keep
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