abstinence
noun/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/
Etymology From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“to withhold”). Equivalent to abstain + -ence.
7 senses
- 1The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from…
- 2Specifically, the practice of abstaining from…
- 3Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual…
- 4Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance.
- 5The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance…
- 6Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything.
- 7Delay of spending to accrue capital.
The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
- Near-synonyms: abstentiousness, abstemiousness
- Penance, Faſts, and Abſtinence, / To puniſh Bodies for the Souls offence.1665 (first performance), John Dryden, The Indian Emperour, or, The Conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for H[enry] Herringman […], published 1667, →OCLC, Act I, scene ii, page 11:
2 more examples
- The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one.1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC:
- These five short films by San Francisco artist James Broughton, reveal to the viewer the artistic changes undergone by the artist during his 15-year abstinence from filmmaking.1981 August 22, Larry Goldsmith, “Lesbian and Gay Independents”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 6, page 10:
Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism).
- For quotations using this term, see Citations:abstinence.
Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.
- Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed contraception.
Ecclesiastical, Lifestyle, Religion Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance.
- "The church teaching before Vatican II was that it was 'gravely sinful' to take 2 ounces of meat on a day of abstinence such as Friday," said the Rev. Joseph S. Rossi, a Jesuit professor of church history at Loyola College.1995 September 18, Rafael Alvarez, “Catholics asked to avoid eating meat on Fridays Cardinal suggests abstinence in weeks leading up to Pope's visit”, in Baltimore Sun:
The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything.
Obsolete Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything.
Business Delay of spending to accrue capital.
- Derived terms
- abstinence of war, abstinence only, abstinence ring, abstinence syndrome, abstinence theory, abstinency, fapstinence, inabstinence, neonatal abstinence syndrome
- Related terms
- abstemious, abstinent, asexual, continence