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   abstention

   /əbˈstɛnʃn/

   noun

   • 1. an instance of declining to vote for or against a proposal or motion: "a resolution passed by 126 votes to none, with six abstentions" Similar refusal to voteabstainingnon-votinginformal:sitting on the fence
   • 2. restraint in one's consumption; abstinence: "alcohol consumption versus abstention" Similar teetotalismtemperancesobrietyabstemiousnessabstinencerare:nephalismcelibacychastitysinglenesscontinencevirginityabstinenceself-restraintself-denialbachelorhoodspinsterhoodOpposite promiscuity

   Word Origin early 16th century (denoting the action of keeping back or restraining): from late Latin abstentio(n-), from the verb abstinere (see abstain).

   Derivatives

   • 1. abstentionism noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

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   • B

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   • S

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   • N

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   • N

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