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)

  1. 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
    1. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
    2. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
    3. (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
  2. The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
  3. (obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
  4. (business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.

Translations

See also

References
  1. “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)

  1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)
  2. abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from alcohol)
  3. abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from sexual relations)

Further reading

Middle French

Etymology

From Old French abstinence.

Noun

abstinence f (plural abstinences)

  1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)

Descendants

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)

  1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)

Descendants
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