Abstain
[əb'steɪn] or [əb'sten]
Definition
(verb.) choose not to consume; 'I abstain from alcohol'.
(verb.) refrain from voting.
Edited by Andrea--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from.
(v. t.) To hinder; to withhold.
Checked by Angelique
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. Refrain, forbear, desist, deny one's self, hold or keep one's self back, stay one's hand, keep one's self from indulgence.
Edited by Astor
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Refrain, forbear, refuse, demur, avoid, cease, stop, keep_back, desist,discontinue, withhold, scruple
ANT:Indulge, exceed, reveal, wanton
Editor: Simon
Definition
v.i. to hold or refrain from.—ns. Abstain′er specially one who does not take alcoholic drinks; Absten′tion a refraining.
Typed by Anatole
Examples
- A man of any rank may, without any reproach, abstain totally from tasting such liquors. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- These friends determined to make an effort to save him, and to do this they drew up a pledge to abstain from all alcoholic drinks. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- I abstain from describing the device which the brand represented. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- We might as well resolve the obligation to abstain from the possessions of others, into the obligation of a promise, as that of allegiance. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- On leaving the office the first precaution to be observed was to abstain from attracting attention by stopping to look about me. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Then we must abstain from spoiling the dead or hindering their burial? Plato. The Republic.
- In the first place the guardians must abstain from strong drink, for they should be the last persons to lose their wits. Plato. The Republic.
- After breaking out in that way, he abstained from speaking again until he had composed himself. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- She could have made an inquiry or two, as to the expedition and the expense of the Irish mails;it was at her tongue's endbut she abstained. Jane Austen. Emma.
- But she purposely abstained from mentioning Mrs. Waule's more special insinuation. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- I abstained from speaking to her for some time, but just before extinguishing the light, I recommended her to lie down. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- But if they abstained from injuring one another, then they might act together better? Plato. The Republic.
- A gentleman simply stayed at home and abstained. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- Thinks it not impossible that if she had always abstained from spirits she might have had two eyes by this time (tremendous applause). Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- She was vexed and disappointed, but she was bent on abstaining from useless words. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- It may, perhaps, appear strange that neither she nor Shirley thought of consulting Mrs. Pryor on their scheme; but they were wise in abstaining. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- And he who abstains will be regarded by the world as a fool for his pains. Plato. The Republic.
Typist: Shirley