WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ab*stain"
Part of Speech : v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abstained; p. pr. & vb. n. Abstaining.]
Etymology : [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.]
Definition : Defn: To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from. Not a few abstained from voting. Macaulay. Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt Shak.

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


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Ab*stain"
Part of Speech : v. t.
Definition : Defn: To hinder; to withhold. Whether he abstain men from marrying. Milton.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913