'abstentionism' originates from the Latin word 'abstentio,' where 'ab-' meant 'away from' and 'tenere' meant 'to hold.'

'abstentio' transformed into the French word 'abstention,' and eventually became the modern English word 'abstentionism' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to hold oneself away from something,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'the practice of abstaining, especially from voting.'