abstain

[ab·stain]

If you abstain from something, you restrain yourself from consuming it. People usually abstain from things that are considered vices like drinking alcohol or eating chocolate.

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To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from.

Verb
choose no to consume; "I abstain from alcohol"

Verb
refrain from voting

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.

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.

Not a few abstained from voting.

Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?

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

Abstain

Ab*stain", v. t. To hinder; to withhold.

Whether he abstain men from marrying.

To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily, and especially from an indulgence of the passions or appetites; -- with from.

To hinder; to withhold.

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Usage Examples

Part of treatment for drugs and alcohol is you abstain from these, but with eating disorders you can't abstain from food so the treatment is longer than drugs and alcohol.

Misspelled Form

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Other Usage Examples

All that a good government aims at... is to add no unnecessary and artificial aid to the force of its own unavoidable consequences, and to abstain from fortifying and accumulating social inequality as a means of increasing political inequalities.

Remember that it is not enough to abstain from lying by word of mouth for the worst lies are often conveyed by a false look, smile, or act.