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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Abstene, Abstein, v. Also: absteine, -steyne, -steen(e, -stine, -sten. [ME. abstene, absteyne (14th c.), OF. abstenir, L. abstinēre.]

1. refl. To refrain or restrain (oneself). 1456 Hay II. 77/13.
Thou art amervailit that I may abstene me fra thy presence Ib. 97/11.
Abstene the fra grete excesse of drinking c1460 Wisd. Sol. 399.
I said … that I suld absten me fra vice 1563 Davidson Answer 28.
That thay abstene thaim selves fra filthynes of idoles 1567 G. Ball. 17.
Feill thow than sin, and abstane [v.r. abstene] thy sell

2. intr. To abstain fra or from something.a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1315 (men will abstene fra lustis). 1531 Bell. Boece I. 179 (to abstene fra sic things as … ). c1552 Lynd. Mon. (frome meitis tyll abstene). 1560 Peebles B. Rec. 268 (to abstene fra bannyng). 1596 Dalr. I. 209/9 (gif thay absteine fra weiris). 1604-31 Craig i. 34 (from her loue absteene). 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 155 (to absteen fra taxing thair defects).

b. absol. (Without preposition.)c1540 Lynd. Kitteis Conf. 57 (till abstene, and leid ane holy life). 1555 Peebles B. Rec. 224 (till gif occasioun till vtheris till abstene). 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 33 (that thai wald abstene in tyme to cum).

c. With to and inf. 1602 Colville Parænese Ep. 3.
I can not abstene to haue compassion of your misery

3. tr. To abstain or refrain from. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 284/23.
Hir companie to abstene culd he nocht