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abstention

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.04 sec.
ab·sten·tion  (b-stnshn, b-)
n.
1. The act or habit of deliberate self-denial.
2. An abstaining vote or voter: 12 ayes, 10 nays, and 8 abstentions.
[Late Latin abstenti, abstentin-, from abstentus, past participle of Latin abstinre, to hold back; see abstain.]
abstention
Noun
1. the formal act of not voting
2. the act of abstaining from something, such as drinking alcohol
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.abstentionabstention - the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)
abstinence
self-denial, self-discipline - the trait of practicing self discipline
abstention
noun 1. abstaining, non-voting, refusal to vote
noun 2. abstinence, refraining, avoidance, forbearance, eschewal, desistance, nonindulgence
Translations
abstention [əbˈstɛnʃən] n → abstención f
abstention [əbˈstɛnʃən] n → abstention f
abstention [əbˈstɛnʃən] n → (Stimm)enthaltung f
abstention [əbˈstɛnʃən] n → astensione f
abstention abstain


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
This habit of abstention from Feeling in the best society enables a Circle the more easily to sustain the veil of mystery in which, from his earliest years, he is wont to enwrap the exact nature of his Perimeter or Circumference.
Flatland by Abbott, Edwin View in context
Continued abstention from speech, and constant avoidance of everything that might lead up to the subject- this halting on all sides at the boundary of what they might not mention- brought before their minds with still greater purity and clearness what they were both feeling.
War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo View in context
His name she had obviously never used during their separation, and her dignified sense of their total severance was shown not much less by this abstention than by the hardships she had chosen to undergo (of which he now learnt for the first time) rather than apply to his father for more funds.
Tess of the d'Urbervilles - A Pure Woman by Hardy, Thomas View in context
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