Webster's English Dictionary

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abstain

Cross references:
  1. refrain               
 
ab.stain \*b-'sta-n\ vi [ME absteinen, fr. MF abstenir, fr. L abstine-re, 
   fr. a]bs-, ab- + tene-re to hold - more at THIN : to refrain voluntarily 
   from an action  - ab.stain.er n