Dictionary De - En
De - Es
De - Pt| English Dictionary: abstaining | by the DICT Development Group |
| 1 result for abstaining | |
| From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
|
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. --Macaulay. Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? --Shak. Syn: To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up; relinquish. | |
