ab;stain pronunciation: function: intransitive verb etymology: middle english absteinen, from anglo-french asteign-, absteign-, stem of astenir, abstenir, from latin abstinēre, from abs-, ab- + tenēre to hold — more at thindate: 14th century : to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice lt;abstain from drinkinggt;— ab;stain;er noun