abstention
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abstention
(US) the staying of a federal case because that court considers the issue can better be dealt with by a state court.Collins Dictionary of Law © W.J. Stewart, 2006
ABSTENTION, French law. This is the tacit renunciation by an heir of a succession Merl. Rep. h.t.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856.