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more about abstain
abstain |
3 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Abstain \Ab*stain"\, v. t. To hinder; to withhold. Whether he abstain men from marrying. --Milton. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Abstain \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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: abstain v 1: refrain from voting 2: choose to refrain; "i abstain from alcohol" [syn: {refrain}, {desist}] [ant: {consume}]
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