An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To keep oneself from doing or partaking of something; refrain. → avoid.

Etymology (EN): M.E. absteynen, absteinen, abstenen, from O.Fr. abstiner, abstenir, astenir “hold (oneself) back, refrain voluntarily,” from L. abstinere / abstenere “withhold, keep back,” from → ab-“off, away from” + tenere “to hold,” from PIE root *ten- “to stretch,” → tension.

Etymology (PE): Parhiz, from Mid.Pers. pahrêzidan, pahrêxtan “to keep away from, abstain,” ultimately from Proto-Ir. *pati-raic-, from prefix *pati-

• *raic- “to leave, let abandon;” cf. Av. raēc- “to leave, let;” Pers. (+ *ui-) gorêz-, goriz-, gorixtan “to run away, flee;” Skt. rec- “to leave, release;” Gk. leipo “I let;” L. linquô “I leave;” PIE base *leik^w- “to leave, let.”