Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Continency
{
, Con′ti-nence
,Con′ti-nen-cy
}Noun.
1.
Self-restraint; self-command.
He knew what to say; he knew also, when to leave off, – a
continence
which is practiced by few writers. Dryden.
2.
The restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and passions; the act or power of refraining from indulgence of the sexual appetite, esp. from unlawful indulgence; sometimes, moderation in sexual indulgence.
If they [the unmarried and widows] have not
continency
, let them marry. 1 Cor. vii. 9 (Rev. Ver. ).
Chastity is either abstinence or
continence
: abstinence is that of virgins or widows; continence
, that of married persons. Jer. Taylor.
3.
Uninterrupted course; continuity.
[Obs.]
Ayliffe.
Webster 1828 Edition
Continency
CONTINENCE
, CONTINENCY,Noun.
1.
In a general sense, the restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and passions; self-command.2.
Appropriately, the restraint of the passion for sexual enjoyment; resistance of concupiscence; forbearance of lewd pleasures; hence, chastity. But the term is usually applied to males, as chastity is to females. Scipio the younger exhibited the nobles example of continence recorded in Pagan history; an example surpassed only by that of Joseph in sacred history.3.
Forbearance of lawful pleasure.Content without lawful venery, is continence; without unlawful, is chastity.
4.
Moderation in the indulgence of sexual enjoyment.Chastity is either abstinence or continence; abstinence is that of virgins or widows; continence, that of married persons.
5.
Continuity; uninterrupted course. [Not now used.]Definition 2024
continency
continency
English
Noun
continency (countable and uncountable, plural continencies)
- Alternative form of continence