Abstain Definition
(intransitive) Refrain from (something); hold one's self aloof; to forbear or keep from doing, especially an indulgence of the passions or appetites. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
(intransitive) Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
Origin of Abstain
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First attested around 1380. From Middle English abstene, absteine, absteynen, absteinen, abstenen, from Old French astenir, abstenir, from Latin abstineō (“to hold oneself back”) from abs- (“from”) + (tineō (“hold”), from teneō (“I hold”)). See also tenable.
From Wiktionary
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Middle English absteinen to avoid from Old French abstenir from Latin abstinēre to hold back abs-, ab- away ab–1 tenēre to hold ten- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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