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abstention

noun [U] (NOT DOING)
 
 
/æbˈsten.ʃən/ formal

Definition

not doing something, such as drinking alcohol or having sex: Abstention from alcohol is essential while you are taking this medication.Abstaining and refraining
(Definition of abstention noun (NOT DOING) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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