(A) the act of being freed
(B) ** to hold oneself back voluntarily
(C) to do away with; get rid of; to end
(D) the keep under control; restrain
EXPLANATIONS BELOW
Concept note-1: -verb intransitive. to hold oneself back; voluntarily do without; refrain (from) to abstain from smoking.
Concept note-2: -: to choose not to do or have something : to refrain deliberately and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice. abstain from drinking. : to choose not to vote. Ten members voted for the proposal, six members voted against it, and two abstained. abstainer noun.
Concept note-3: -Abstinence is choosing not to have sex.
Concept note-4: -Abstain means to refrain from voting, either for or against a motion.