The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abstain \Ab*stain"\, v. t.
   To hinder; to withhold.
   [1913 Webster]

         Whether he abstain men from marrying.    --Milton.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abstain \Ab*stain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Abstained; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Abstaining.] [OE. absteynen, abstenen, OF. astenir,
   abstenir, F. abstenir, fr. L. abstinere, abstentum, v. t. &
   v. i., to keep from; ab, abs + tenere to hold. See
   Tenable.]
   To hold one's self aloof; to forbear or refrain voluntarily,
   and especially from an indulgence of the passions or
   appetites; -- with from.
   [1913 Webster]

         Not a few abstained from voting.         --Macaulay.
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         Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? --Shak.
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   Syn: To refrain; forbear; withhold; deny one's self; give up;
        relinquish.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

abstain
    v 1: refrain from voting
    2: choose not to consume; "I abstain from alcohol" [syn:
       abstain, refrain, desist] [ant: consume, have,
       ingest, take, take in]