abstain

• POS: Verb (intransitive)
• HYPHEN: ab=stain
• COUNT in NET: 2 in 2 verses (in NT : 2 in 2 verses)

CIDE DICTIONARY

abstain, v. i. [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.  [1913 Webster]
"Not a few abstained from voting."  [1913 Webster]
"Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?"  [1913 Webster]

Syn. -- To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up; relinquish.

abstain, v. t. 

 To hinder; to withhold.  [1913 Webster]
"Whether he abstain men from marrying."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

abstain, v.intr.
1 a (usu. foll. by from) restrain oneself; refrain from indulging in (abstained from cakes and sweets; abstained from mentioning it). b refrain from drinking alcohol.
2 formally decline to use one's vote.

Derivative

abstainer n.

Etymology

ME f. AF astener f. OF abstenir f. L abstinere abstent- (as AB-, tenere hold)

THESAURUS

abstain

abnegate, abstain from, avoid, constrain, cop out, curb, decline, dispense with, do without, duck the issue, eschew, evade, evade the issue, forbear, forgo, hold, hold aloof from, hold back, hold off, keep, keep back, keep from, keep in hand, let alone, let go by, never touch, not touch, not use, pass up, refrain, refrain from, refuse, reject, reserve, save, shun, sit it out, spare, spurn, stand aloof from, stand neuter, straddle, trim, waive, withhold

ROGET THESAURUS

abstain

Avoidance

VB abstain, refrain, spare, not attempt, not do, maintain the even tenor of one's way, eschew, keep from, let alone, have nothing to do with, keep aloof keep off, stand aloof, stand off, hold aloof, hold off, take no part in, have no hand in, avoid, shun, steer clear of, keep clear of, fight shy of, keep one's distance, keep at a respectful distance, keep out of the way, get out of the way, evade, elude, turn away from, set one's face against, deny oneself, shrink back, hang back, hold back, draw back, recoil, retire, flinch, blink, blench, shy, shirk, dodge, parry, make way for, give place to, beat a retreat, turn tail, turn one's back, take to one's heels, runaway, run for one's life, cut and run, be off like a shot, fly, flee, fly away, flee away, run away from, take flight, take to flight, desert, elope, make off, scamper off, sneak off, shuffle off, sheer off, break away, tear oneself away, slip away, slink away, steel away, make away from, scamper away from, sneak away from, shuffle away from, sheer away from, slip cable, part company, turn one's heel, sneak out of, play truant, give one the go by, give leg bail, take French leave, slope, decamp, flit, bolt, abscond, levant, skedaddle, absquatulat, cut one's stick, walk one's chalks, show a light pair of heels, make oneself scarce, escape, go away, abandon, reject, lead one a dance, lead one a pretty dance, throw off the scent, play at hide and seek, Adj, unsought, unattempted, avoiding, neutral, shy of, elusive, evasive, fugitive, runaway, shy, wild.

Disuse

VB not use, do without, dispense with, let alone, not touch, forbear, abstain, spare, waive, neglect, keep back, reserve, lay up, lay by, lay on the shelf, keep on the shelf, lay up in ordinary, lay up in a napkin, shelve, set aside, put aside, lay aside, disuse, leave off, have done with, supersede, discard, dismiss, give warning, throw aside, make away with, cast overboard, heave overboard, throw overboard, cast to the dogs, cast to the winds, dismantle, lie unemployed, remain unemployed.

Temperance

VB be temperate, abstain, forbear, refrain, deny oneself, spare, swear off, know when one has had enough, know one's limit, take the pledge, go on the wagon.