Abstaining

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Abstain \Ab*stain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Abstained}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Abstaining}.] [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.
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           Not a few abstained from voting.         --Macaulay.
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           Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? --Shak.
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     Syn: To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up;
          relinquish.
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