abstinence
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English, borrowed from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“I withhold”). Equivalent to abstain + -ence.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/
Audio (US) (file)
Noun
abstinence (countable and uncountable, plural abstinences)
- The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
- Penance, fasts, and abstinence, / To punish bodies for the soul's offense. - John Dryden
- The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one. — John Locke
- Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. — St Augustine
- Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
- Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
- (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
- The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
- (obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
- (business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.
Translations
the act or practice of abstaining
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specifically, abstinence from alcohol
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specifically, abstinence from sexual intercourse
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the practice of self-denial
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delay of spending
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See also
References
- “abstinence” in Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief; William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, 2002, →ISBN, page 10.
- abstinence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
French
Etymology
From Middle French abstinence, from Old French abstinence, borrowed from Latin abstinentia.
Pronunciation
Audio (file)
Noun
abstinence f (plural abstinences)
- abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)
- abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from alcohol)
- abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from sexual relations)
Related terms
Further reading
- “abstinence” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).
Middle French
Etymology
From Old French abstinence.
Old French
Alternative forms
- abstinance
- astenance
- astinence
- austinance
- austinence
Etymology
From Latin abstinentia.
Noun
abstinence f (oblique plural abstinences, nominative singular abstinence, nominative plural abstinences)
- abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)
Descendants
- → Middle English:
- English: abstinence
- Middle French: abstinence
- French: abstinence
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