absterse

Absterse is a reflexive verb found in several Romance languages, most prominently Portuguese, where it means to abstain or refrain from a stated action. The infinitive form in standard Portuguese is abster-se, and it is used with prepositions such as de to indicate the act being avoided (for example, se abster de participar). In practice it is common in formal, legal, or political language, e.g., ele se absteve de votar.

In Spanish and other related languages, the cognate form abstenerse serves the same semantic role; English speakers most often render the idea with abstain. The English form absterse is not widely used outside linguistic or comparative-language discussions.

Etymology: Absterse derives from the Latin root abstineo, with the reflexive construction developed in Iberian Romance languages. The central sense—holding back or refraining—persists across this language family.

Usage notes: As a pronominal verb, absterse requires a reflexive pronoun (se in Portuguese). Its use tends toward formal or written contexts, including political discourse, legal texts, and ethical guidelines, where one refrains from a particular action or decision.

See also: abstain; abstenerse; s’abstenir (French); abstención.