Middle English word absteinen comes from Latin abstineo, and later Old French abstenir (To abstain from; to not participate in.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| abstineo | Latin (lat) | (with non) I allow (Example: Se ita dicere non abstinuit. "He allowed himself to speak so/in that way."). I abstain.. I keep, stay off or away, hold at a distance, avoid. |
| abstenir | Old French (fro) | To abstain from; to not participate in. |
| abstene | Middle English (enm) |