1. vi.戒，戒除；避免，避开　keep oneself from doing or enjoying sth, especially from taking alcoholic drinks; refrain, especially with an effort
2. vi.（投票时）弃权　decline to use one's vote

　cautiously ～　小心地避开
　prudently ～　谨慎地避开
　～ from alcohol　戒酒，不喝酒
　～ from comment　不加评论
　～ from flesh and fish　戒食荤腥
　～ from smoking　戒烟
　～ from voting　投票时弃权

　In the referendum many people abstained.　在这次公民投票中许多人弃权。
　His doctor ordered him to abstain from beer and wine.　他的医生嘱咐他戒酒。
　I've abstained from smoking for two years.　我已经戒烟两年了。
　If you abstain from eating candy and rich food, you will not be so fat.　如果你不吃糖果和油腻食物，你就不会这样胖。
　Some delegates abstained from voting.　一些代表放弃投票。
　In other words, the country would abstain from a resolution favouring a cease-fire in place.　换言之，对于一项赞同就地停火的协议，那个国家将投弃权票。
　They collectively abstained (from voting) in the elections for local councilors.　他们在地方议会议员选举中集体弃权。

 ♣ abstain, forbear, refrain
　这组词的共同意思是自觉地控制自己不做那些由于愿望或冲动而想做的事。其区别是：refrain仅指动作未做；forbear强调自我约束性，即由于耐心、善良、宽厚、谨慎或禁欲主义思想等原因而自我克制；abstain则除强调自我约束性外，还含有自我否定的意味。

　［同义词］ abandon, desert, forbear, prohibit, refrain
　［反义词］ indulge