ABSTENTION


Meaning of ABSTENTION in English

əbzˈtenchən, ab-, -bˈst- noun

( -s )

Etymology: Late Latin abstention-, abstentio, from Latin abstentus, past participle of abstinēre to abstain + -ion-, -io -ion — more at abstain

1. : act or practice of abstaining ; specifically : withholding of a vote

seven votes in favor, three against, and one abstention — A.W.Rudzinski

2. : nonparticipation in political life or (as by a government) in international affairs

cooperation versus isolation in the 'twenties, intervention versus abstention in the late thirties — H.J.Morgenthau

• ab·sten·tion·ism -ˌnizəm noun -s

• ab·sten·tion·ist -_nə̇st noun -s

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.