1. to refrain from eating food voluntarily, often for religious, health, or protest reasons
He decided to abstain from food during the religious fast.
Ele decidiu abster-se de comida durante o jejum religioso.
2. to go without food; to fast
The monk chose to abstain from food as part of his spiritual practice.
O monge escolheu abster-se de comida como parte de sua prática espiritual.