abstain

verb

Etymology: First attested around 1380. From Middle English absteynen, absteinen, abstenen, from Old French astenir, abstenir, from Latin abstineō (“to hold oneself back”) from abs- (“from”) + teneō (“to hold”). See also tenable.

1. Keep or withhold oneself.
2. Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.

   “In order to improve his health, Rob decided to abstain from smoking.”

   “Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt?”

3. Refrain from (something or doing something); keep from doing, especially an indulgence.

   “… she had made Bunting abstain very early in their acquaintance. … Glad she was now that he had taken the pledge as a younger man; but for that nothing would have kept him from the drink during the bad times they had gone through.”

4. Fast (not eat for a period).
5. Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.

   “I abstain from this vote, as I have no particular preference.”

   “[…]forcing a small portion of the population to abstain from voting”

6. Hinder; keep back; withhold.

   “Whether he abstain men from marying [sic].”