Etymology of the English word abstention
the English word
abstentionderived from the Late Latin word
abstentioderived from the Late Latin word
abstentusderived from the Latin word
abstinere (withhold, keep away, clear)
using the Latin prefix
abs-derived from the Latin word
absderived from the Medieval Latin word
tenere (hold, keep; comprehend; represent; support)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ten-using the Late Latin prefix
abstention-derived from the Latin word
abstinere (withhold, keep away, clear)
using the Latin prefix
abs-derived from the Latin word
absderived from the Medieval Latin word
tenere (hold, keep; comprehend; represent; support)
derived from the Proto-Indo-European root
*ten-Date
The earliest known usage of abstention in English dates from the 16th century.
Derivations in English
abstentionismUsage
Word found in Modern English
