abstain

UK: /æbˈsteɪn/ US: /æbˈsteɪn/ ,(ab stān′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ab•stain /æbˈsteɪn/   v. [no object]

1. [~ + from + object] to keep oneself from doing, esp. from something regarded as improper or unhealthy;
   refrain: to abstain from eating meat;
   She abstained from smoking and drinking for a month.
2. Government to keep oneself from casting one's vote:
   a referendum in which two delegates abstained.

ab•stain•er, n. [countable] See -tain-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ab•stain  (ab stān′), v.i. 

1. to hold oneself back voluntarily, esp. from something regarded as improper or unhealthy (usually fol. by from):
   to abstain from eating meat.
2. Government to refrain from casting one's vote:
   a referendum in which two delegates abstained.

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

Synonyms

• 1. forbear; desist, cease.

Antonyms

• 1. indulge.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

abstain / əbˈsteɪn/ verb (intransitive) usually followed by from:

1. to choose to refrain
2. to refrain from voting, esp in a committee, legislature, etc

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Latin abstinēre, from abs- ab-¹ + tenēre to hold, keep

abˈstainer noun