s'abstenir — meaning in English

English meaning

• abstain verb To deliberately not take part in something, especially eating, drinking, or voting.
• forbear verb To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
• refrain verb To stop oneself from doing something; to hold back.

Senses

s'abstenir is used for these senses in English:

• abstain (intransitive) Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
• forbear (transitive) To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
• refrain (intransitive, with preposition "from") To stop oneself from some action or interference; to abstain; to eschew [from 15th c.]
• stand back (intransitive) To abstain from participation.

forbear — full definition

1. verb To keep away from; to avoid; to abstain from.
2. verb To refrain from proceeding; to pause; to delay.
3. verb To refuse; to decline; to withsay; to unheed.
4. verb To control oneself when provoked.

Related French words