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abstention

ab·sten·tion [ əb-ˈsten(t)-shən]

abstention

noun

[əb-ˈsten(t)-shən]

Definition of abstention

: the act or practice of abstaining: such as

a : the act or practice of choosing not to do or have something
//abstention from drugs and alcohol a long period of abstention [=abstinence]

b : a formal refusal to vote on something
//There were 10 ayes, 6 nays, and 2 abstentions.

Other Words from abstention

abstentious \ əb-ˈsten(t)-shəs , ab- \ adjective

Recent Examples on the Web

//Sadly, the members of the three parliamentary committees charged with assessing Ms Goulard’s candidacy voted by 82 votes to 29, with one abstention, to reject it.
— The Economist, "Ursula von der Leyen’s bumpy start," 17 Oct. 2019
//The Swiss parliament’s judiciary committee decided by a vote of 9 to 6 with one abstention earlier this month to not recommend his re-election ahead of Tuesday’s vote, in a sign of how close the ballot would be.
— Hugo Miller, Bloomberg.com, "Swiss Attorney-General Narrowly Re-Elected After FIFA Scandal," 25 Sep. 2019
//The legislature, which is controlled by Pierluisi's New Progressive Party, erupted into cheers when the House voted 26-21, with one abstention, to confirm Pierluisi as secretary of state.
— Danica Coto, Anchorage Daily News, "Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in," 3 Aug. 2019
//The legislature, which is controlled by Pierluisi's New Progressive Party, erupted into cheers when the House voted 26-21, with one abstention, to confirm Pierluisi as secretary of state.
— Danica Coto, Anchorage Daily News, "Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in," 3 Aug. 2019
//The book enables visitors to see their decision as an active endorsement of Aboriginal values, rather than a passive abstention.
— National Geographic, "Why Australia is banning climbers from this iconic natural landmark," 15 Sep. 2019
//The board voted 6-2, with an abstention by Diane Summa, to direct Superintendent Steve Rioux to get feedback from the Nipmuc Tribe.
— Denise Coffey, courant.com, "Residents Divided On Redmen Name, Symbol," 8 July 2019
//The measure passed with 205 votes in support, 16 against and three abstentions.
— Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, "Catholic bishops pass proposal to create nationwide system to report sexual abuse complaints," 12 June 2019
//The legislature, which is controlled by Pierluisi’s New Progressive Party, erupted into cheers when the House voted 26-21, with one abstention, to confirm Pierluisi as secretary of state.
— Washington Post, "Puerto Rico governor resigns as promised; successor sworn in," 3 Aug. 2019

First Known Use of abstention

1521, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for abstention

borrowed from Late Latin abstentiōn-, abstentiō, from Latin absten-, variant stem of abstinēre "to abstain" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

Dictionary Entries near abstention

absque impetitione vasti

More Definitions forabstention

abstention

noun

ab·sten·tion | \ əb-ˈsten-chən \

Legal Definition of abstention

: the staying of the exercise of federal jurisdiction in a case that involves a question of state law or policy which the federal court prefers to have resolved by a state court or agency also : the staying of the exercise of federal jurisdiction in a case that involves a proceeding in a court of military justice

— Burford abstention \ ˈbər-fərd- \

: an abstention grounded on the involvement in the federal case of a challenge to the exercise of a usually complex state administrative function

— Colorado River abstention \ ˌkä-lə-ˈra-dō-, -ˈrä- \

: an abstention grounded especially on the involvement in the federal case of questions of state concern that are also at issue in a parallel case in state court

— Pullman abstention \ ˈpu̇l-mən- \

: an abstention grounded on the involvement in the federal case of the interpretation of an ambiguously worded state law whose constitutionality would have to be determined by the federal court

Note: A party to a case subjected to a Pullman abstention may reserve the right to return to federal court once the state court has resolved the state law question. Pullman abstentions are the most common type of abstention.

— Thibodaux abstention \ ˌtē-bə-ˈdō- \

: an abstention grounded on the involvement in the federal case of an issue that greatly affects and concerns a state

— Younger abstention \ ˈyəŋ-gər- \

: an abstention grounded on the plaintiff's invocation of federal jurisdiction for the purpose of restraining an ongoing usually criminal state proceeding that has been brought in good faith and not for harassment