ABSTENTION


Meaning of ABSTENTION in English

/ əbˈstenʃn; NAmE / noun

1.

[ C , U ] abstention (from sth) an act of choosing not to use a vote either in favour of or against sth :

The voting was 15 in favour, 3 against and 2 abstentions.

2.

[ U ] ( formal ) the act of not allowing yourself to have or do sth enjoyable or sth that is considered bad

—see also abstain

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WORD ORIGIN

early 16th cent. (denoting the action of keeping back or restraining): from late Latin abstentio(n-) , from the verb abstinere , from ab- from + tenere hold.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.