Nutrition An edible plant or part of a plant other than a sweet fruit or seed (nut). Defining a plant food as a vegetable is somewhat arbitrary and depends on use. As an example, tomatoes are botanically defined as fruits, but used as vegetables. Vox populi A common, albeit un-PC, term for a person in persistent vegetative state.
The definition of abstain is choosing to not do something. An example of abstain is to not eat animal products during Lent. Abstain means to not vote. An example of abstain would be a senator who chooses not to vote on a particular bill.
A federal court's decision not to exercise jurisdiction over a case. The usual goal of abstention is the avoidance of needless conflict with a state court. See Federalism. Abstention: an overview. Abstention is a doctrine under which federal courts may choose not to hear a case, even if all the formal jurisdiction requirements are met. There are several established instances in which federal courts will generally abstain.