abstain

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Verb

1. {{lb|en|transitive|reflexive|obsolete}} Keep or withhold oneself. {{defdate|Attested from around 1350 to 1470 until the mid 16^th century.}}<ref name=SOED>{{R:SOED5|page=9}}</ref>
2. {{lb|en|intransitive}} [[refrain|Refrain]] from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an [[indulgence]]. {{defdate|First attested around 1350 to 1470.}}<ref name=SOED/>
3. {{lb|en|intransitive|obsolete}} [[fast|Fast]] {{gloss|not eat for a period}}. {{defdate|First attested around 1350 to 1470.}}<ref name=SOED/>
4. {{lb|en|intransitive}} Deliberately refrain from casting one's [[vote]] at a meeting where one is present. {{defdate|First attested around 1350 to 1470.}}<ref name=SOED/>
5. {{lb|en|transitive|obsolete}} [[hinder|Hinder]]; keep back; [[withhold]]. {{defdate|Attested from the early 16^th century until the mid 17^th century.}}<ref name=SOED/>

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.