the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > abstain or refrain from (action) [verb (transitive)] > withhold (one's hand or a blow) > abstain from injury to (2)
To abstain from destroying, removing, damaging, or injuring (a thing).
To abstain from injuring, punishing, or giving way to resentment against (a person or thing); to spare, show mercy or indulgence to. Now rare. Cf…