| 释义 |
abstention|æbˈstɛnʃən|
[a. Fr. abstention (OFr. astension), n. of action f. L. abstent- ppl. stem of abstinēre: see abstain.]
†1. The act of keeping back or restraining. Obs.
1521Wolsey in Strype Eccl. Mem. I. 50 The abstention of war, which may be as soon broken..as all the other assurance, cannot then prevail. 1653Gauden Hieraspistes 103 Which present denial, or abstention of such an one from receiving the holy Sacrament, might afterwards be examined by publick and lawful authority.
2. The act of keeping oneself back, abstaining or refraining; the state of refraining or of being kept back.
1624–47Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 303 Many sighes and teares which now he bestowed upon his abstention from that dearly affected devotion. 1865M. Arnold Ess. in Critic. (1875) x. 267 In them the character of abstention and renouncement, which we have noticed in Ali himself, was marked yet more strongly. 1870Daily News 23 Apr., M. Picard..justifies his abstention from signing the manifesto of the Left.
3. spec. The act of refraining from voting; an instance of this. Also transf.
1880Illust. Lond. News 21 Feb. 178 The votes given were—for Mr. Clarke 7683..There were over 7000 abstentions. 1922Encycl. Brit. II. 562/2 The extremist group proposed abstention from the polls and an armed rising. 1948Bull. (U.S. Dept. of State) 4 July 3/2 If a permanent member of the Security Council abstains from voting on a nonprocedural decision of the Council, such abstention is not considered to be a veto. 1955G. Gorer Exploring Eng. Character iv. 64 An eighth of the people interviewed (12 per cent) refused to commit themselves in any way, much the highest figure of abstentions on any question in the field survey. 1979H. Kissinger White House Years xix. 771 In 1969 the Important Question resolution had passed by a wide margin of 71 in favor, 48 against, and 4 abstentions. |