Pronunciation: [ɐbstˈɛnʃənz] (IPA) 
The word "abstentions" is pronounced /əbˈstɛnʃənz/. It is spelled with two "s" in the middle and an "–ions" suffix at the end. The "s" sounds like /z/ because it is between two vowels, as in "reason" or "roses." The "–ions" suffix is pronounced /ʃənz/ and is often used to form nouns from verbs. In this case, "abstentions" means the act of abstaining from something, such as voting or consuming alcohol.
Abstentions refer to the act of deliberately choosing not to vote or express an opinion on a particular matter, especially during a formal decision-making process. It is a conscious decision to refrain from casting a vote, typically done for various reasons such as personal beliefs, ethical considerations, or distrust of the options presented.
In a democratic setting, abstentions can occur during legislative or committee sessions when members choose to neither support nor oppose a resolution or motion being debated. This decision to abstain may signal disagreement or dissatisfaction with the available choices, or a desire to remain neutral and avoid taking a stance. For example, in a parliamentary vote, a legislator may abstain if they believe the proposal lacks sufficient information, if they wish to express their dissatisfaction with the process, or if they have a conflict of interest.
Abstentions are often counted separately from affirmative or negative votes, as they indicate a distinct choice to neither support nor oppose. In many cases, abstentions do not directly affect the outcome of a vote, as they are not normally included in the tally of affirmative or negative votes. However, they can play a role in demonstrating divided opinions or the level of support or opposition a particular decision holds among voters.
The word "abstentions" comes from the Latin word "abstinēre", which means "to keep oneself from" or "to refrain". In Latin, the word "abstinēre" is a combination of "ab" (from) and "tenēre" (to hold). Over time, this Latin term evolved into "abstineri" in Old French, which ultimately led to the modern English word "abstain". The term "abstentions" is the plural form of "abstention", which refers to the act of abstaining or choosing not to vote on a particular issue.
