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abstention


ab·sten·tion

noun \əb-ˈsten(t)-shən, ab-\

Definition of ABSTENTION

: the act or practice of abstaining
ab·sten·tious \-shəs\ adjective

Examples of ABSTENTION

  1. There were 10 ayes, 6 nays, and 2 abstentions when the vote was taken.
  2. a high rate of voter abstention

Origin of ABSTENTION

Late Latin abstention-, abstentio, from Latin abstinēre
First Known Use: 1521

Rhymes with ABSTENTION

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