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Abstainer

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ab·stain  (b-stn, b-)
intr.v. ab·stained, ab·stain·ing, ab·stains
1. To refrain from something by one's own choice: abstain from traditional political rhetoric. See Synonyms at refrain1.
2. To refrain from voting: Forty senators voted in favor of the bill, 45 voted against it, and 15 abstained.

[Middle English absteinen, to avoid, from Old French abstenir, from Latin abstinre, to hold back : abs-, ab-, away; see ab-1 + tenre, to hold; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]

ab·stainer n.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.Abstainerabstainer - someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
religious person - a person who manifests devotion to a deity
puritan - someone who adheres to strict religious principles; someone opposed to sensual pleasures
stylite - an early Christian ascetic who lived on top of high pillars
2.Abstainerabstainer - a person who refrains from drinking intoxicating beverages
individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do"
teetotaler, teetotalist, teetotaller - a total abstainer

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The brandy I did not touch, for I have been an abstainer from my birth.
But at the sad time of which I am trying to write, I was almost an abstainer, from the fear, the temptation - of seeking oblivion in strong waters.
Mr Todhunter, as has been remarked, is a quiet thrifty gentleman, essentially an abstainer.
 
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