French word abstenir comes from Latin teneo, Latin abs
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| teneo | Latin (lat) | (of laws) I am binding on; bind, hold, obligate. (reflexive) I keep back, remain, stay, hold position. I comprise, contain, include, hold. I hold fast, restrain, detain, check, control; bind, fetter. I hold, have; grasp. I insist, uphold. I know, grasp, understand, conceive. I possess, occupy, control. I reach, attain; gain, acquire, obtain. I recollect, retain knowledge of, remember, bear [...] |
| abs | Latin (lat) | |
| 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. |
| abstenir | French (fra) | (pronominal) to abstain. |