abstention
/əbˈstɛn.ʃn̩/
UK: /əbˈstɛn.ʃn̩/
ƏBSTƐN · ʃn̩ (2 syllables)
English
Noun
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Definition
The act of restraining oneself.
Etymology
First attested in 1521. Borrowed from French abstention, from Late Latin abstēntiō from Latin abstinēō (“withhold, to abstain”)
Example Sentences
- "abstention from alcohol"
- "abstention from sex"
- "There were five abstentions in the vote."
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