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Abstain vs Deter - What's the difference?

abstain | deter |

In lang=en terms the difference between abstain and deter

is that abstain is deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present while deter is to persuade someone not to do something; to discourage.

As verbs the difference between abstain and deter

is that abstain is (transitive|reflexive|obsolete) keep or withhold oneself while deter is to prevent something from happening.

abstain

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (transitive, reflexive, obsolete) Keep or withhold oneself.
  • Refrain from (something); hold one's self aloof; to forbear or keep from doing, especially an indulgence of the passions or appetites.
  • * Who abstains from meat that is not gaunt? - Shakespeare, Richard II, II-i
  • (obsolete) Fast.
  • Deliberately refrain from casting one's vote at a meeting where one is present.
  • * Not a few abstained from voting. -
  • (obsolete) Hinder; keep back; withhold.
  • * Whether he abstain men from marying [sic]. -

    • Usage notes

    * (keep or withhold oneself) Followed by the word from' or ' of . * (refrain from something) Followed by the word from .

    Synonyms

    * deny oneself * forbear * forgo * give up * refrain * relinquish * withhold

    Derived terms

    * abstention

    Related terms

    * abstinence

    References

    Anagrams

    *

    deter

    English

    Verb

    (deterr)
  • To prevent something from happening.
  • To persuade someone not to do something; to discourage.
  • * 1748 . David Hume. Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral. London: Oxford University Press, 1973. ยง 10.
    • we have in following enquiry, attempted to throw some light upon subjects, from which uncertainty has hitherto deterred the wise

    External links

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    Anagrams

    * ----