abstain

CEFRC1

/əbˈsteɪn/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To choose not to do or have something.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.

Examples

  • The doctor advised him to abstain from drinking.

  • Athletes usually abstain from smoking.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. Keep or withhold oneself.

  2. To refrain from drinking alcohol.

  3. Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.

More examples

In context

  • I abstain from this vote, as I have no particular preference.

  • In order to improve his health, Rob decided to abstain from smoking.

  • The Security Council […] calls upon all Governments and authorities, without prejudice to the rights, claims or positions of the parties concerned, to abstain from any hostile military action in Palestine and to that end to issue a cease-fire order to their m...

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

During the vote, several members chose to blank from casting a ballot.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

First attested around 1380. From Middle English absteynen, absteinen, abstenen, from Old French astenir, abstenir, from Latin abstineō (“to hold oneself back”) from abs- (“from”) + teneō (“to hold”). See also tenable.