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- pronunciation:
 b
steIn
- features:
- Word Parts
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
abstains, abstaining, abstained |
| definition 1: |
to choose not to do something.
He abstained from dessert because he had eaten too much already.- antonyms:
- indulge
- similar words:
- decline, fast, keep, quit
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| definition 2: |
to choose not to take part in a decision.
She abstained from voting in the election.- antonyms:
- vote
- similar words:
- decline, withhold
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| related words: |
sober |
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The word abstain
contains the following parts:
ab-, abs-
Latin
prefix
that means from, away from
  More about this word part:
Most words containing the prefix ab-
, abs-
are Latin loanwords, so the bases are Latin roots. ab-
becomes abs-
before bases beginning with "t," such as "tract."
Example words:
abbreviate, abbreviation, abdicate, abduct, abnormal, abolish, aborigine, abrasive, abrupt, absence, absent, absolute, absorb, abstain, abstract, abuse
ten, tin, tain
Latin
root
that means to hold
Example words:
abstain, attain, contain, container, content, continent, continual, continue, continuous, detain, detention, impertinent, lieutenant, maintain, maintenance, obtain, pertain, pertinent, retain, sustain, tennis, tenor
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