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Meaning of ABSTAIN

Pronunciation:  ab'steyn

WordNet Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. [v]  choose to refrain; "I abstain from alcohol"
  2. [v]  refrain from voting
 
 Websites: 
 
 Synonyms: desist, refrain
 
 Antonyms: consume, have, ingest, take, take in
 
 See Also: avoid, fast, forbear, keep off, refrain, teetotal

 

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary
 
 Definition: 
  1. \Ab*stain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Abstained}; p. pr. &
    vb. n. {Abstaining}.] [OE. absteynen, abstenen, OF. astenir,
    abstenir, F. abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. &
    v. i., to keep from; ab, abs + tenere to hold. See
    {Tenable}.]
    To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily,
    and especially from an indulgence of the passions or
    appetites; -- with from.
          Not a few abstained from voting.         --Macaulay.
          Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? --Shak.
    Syn: To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up;
         relinquish.
    
  2. \Ab*stain"\, v. t.
    To hinder; to withhold.
          Whether he abstain men from marrying.    --Milton.
    
 
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Thesaurus Terms
 
 Related Terms: abnegate, abstain from, avoid, constrain, cop out, curb, decline, dispense with, do without, duck the issue, eschew, evade, evade the issue, forbear, forgo, hold, hold aloof from, hold back, hold off, keep, keep back, keep from, keep in hand, let alone, let go by, never touch, not touch, not use, pass up, refrain, refrain from, refuse, reject, reserve, save, shun, sit it out, spare, spurn, stand aloof from, stand neuter, straddle, trim, waive, withhold
 

 

 

 

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