How Do You Spell ABSTENTION?

Pronunciation: [ɐbstˈɛnʃən] (IPA)

Abstention is a noun that refers to the act of voluntarily refraining from doing something, often in a formal or official setting, such as a vote. The spelling of this word is phonetically represented as /əbˈstɛnʃən/ with the stress on the second syllable. The "a" is pronounced as a schwa, the "b" as a voiced bilabial plosive, and the "s" as a voiceless alveolar fricative. The "t" and "n" are pronounced separately, with the "t" being voiceless and the "n" being a voiced alveolar nasal. The final "tion" is pronounced as a schwa followed by a voiced velar fricative and a nasal.

ABSTENTION Meaning and Definition

  1. Abstention refers to the act of deliberately refraining or choosing not to participate in a particular action, event, or decision. It involves the voluntary decision to withhold one's vote, opinion, or involvement, often in a formal or organized setting such as a meeting, referendum, or election.

    In the context of voting, abstention refers to the choice to neither support nor oppose a particular proposition, candidate, or policy. This can be done by intentionally not casting a vote or by submitting a blank or invalid ballot. Abstaining from voting can indicate neutrality, indecision, a lack of confidence in the available options, or a conscious protest against the system or process.

    Beyond voting situations, abstention can also apply to various scenarios in everyday life. For instance, it can refer to abstaining from certain foods or activities for personal, cultural, religious, or health reasons. Abstaining from alcohol, smoking, or indulgent behaviors during Lent is a common example. Additionally, abstention can pertain to refraining from voicing an opinion or taking a particular stance on a controversial matter to maintain impartiality or avoid potential conflicts.

    Overall, abstention denotes a conscious choice to withdraw or withhold oneself from active engagement or participation, whether in a voting process, personal decisions, or discussions, often resulting from personal preferences, principled convictions, or a desire to remain neutral or unbiased.

Common Misspellings for ABSTENTION

Etymology of ABSTENTION

The word "abstention" derives from the Latin term "abstinēre", which is a combination of the prefix "ab-" meaning "away from" or "off" and the verb "stinēre" meaning "to hold back" or "to restrain". In essence, "abstinēre" conveys the idea of refraining or holding oneself back from something. The word was later adapted into Old French as "abstenir", and eventually entered the English language in the 15th century as "abstain", with "abstention" appearing later as a noun form.

Similar spelling words for ABSTENTION

Plural form of ABSTENTION is ABSTENTIONS

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