ABSTA'IN, verb intransitive [Latin abstineo, to keep from; abs and teneo, to hold. See Tenant.] In a general sense, to forbear, or refrain from, voluntarily; but used chiefly to denote a restraint upon the passions or appetites; to refrain from indulgence. Abstain from meats offered to idols. Acts 15:29. To abstain from the use of ardent spirits; to abstain from luxuries.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI