abstain

ab·stain

verb \əb-ˈstān, ab-\

Definition of ABSTAIN

intransitive verb

: to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice <abstain from drinking>

— ab·stain·er noun

Examples of ABSTAIN

1. Ten members voted for the proposal, six members voted against it, and two abstained.

Origin of ABSTAIN

Middle English absteinen, from Anglo-French asteign-, absteign-, stem of astenir, abstenir, from Latin abstinēre, from abs-, ab- + tenēre to hold — more at thin

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism