abstain
UK[əbˈsteɪn]US[əbˈsteɪn]
v
to choose not to do or have something, especially something you like or enjoy, because it is bad for your health or considered morally wrong
v
to formally decide not to vote either for or against something in a meeting or parliament
Morpheme Breakdown
abs
tain
abs
away, from
tain
to hold
Etymology
the word abstain originates from the latin verb abstinēre, a compound of abs- (away) and tenēre (to hold). the literal sense is "to hold oneself away from" something. this meaning passed through old french into middle english, retaining the core idea of deliberate restraint. the modern usage has evolved from this concrete act of holding back to encompass both the refusal to indulge in pleasures and the formal refusal to cast a vote, both actions rooted in the concept of keeping one's distance.
Analysis
Structure: abs (away, from) + tain (to hold)
abs- is a latin prefix meaning "away, from". -tain is derived from the latin verb tenēre, meaning "to hold, to keep".
Examples
he abstained from alcohol for a full year.
several committee members abstained during the final vote.
she decided to abstain from commenting on the controversial issue.