/ əbˈsteɪn; NAmE / verb [ v ] abstain (from sth)
1.
to choose not to use a vote, either in favour of or against sth :
Ten people voted in favour, five against and two abstained.
2.
to decide not to do or have sth, especially sth you like or enjoy, because it is bad for your health or considered morally wrong :
to abstain from alcohol / sex / drugs
3.
( IndE ) to stay away from sth :
The workers who abstained from work yesterday have been suspended.
—see also abstention , abstinence
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French abstenir , from Latin abstinere , from ab- from + tenere hold.