abstain

UK /əbˈsteɪn/ US /əbˈsteɪn/
verb 5

Definitions

verb

1

Keep or withhold oneself.

2

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

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

Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?

3

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

… she had made Bunting abstain very early in their acquaintance. … Glad she was now that he had taken the pledge as a younger man; but for that nothing would have kept him from the drink during the bad times they had gone through.

4

Fast (not eat for a period).

5

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

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

[…]forcing a small portion of the population to abstain from voting

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