Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Abstinence
1.
The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance of any action, especially the refraining from an indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications of animal or sensual propensities. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages, – called also
total abstinence
. The
abstinence
from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one. Locke.
2.
The practice of self-denial by depriving one’s self of certain kinds of food or drink, especially of meat.
Penance, fasts, and
To punish bodies for the soul's offense.
abstinence
,To punish bodies for the soul's offense.
Dryden.
Webster 1828 Edition
Abstinence
AB'STINENCE
,Noun.
1.
In general, the act or practice of voluntarily refraining from, or forbearing any action. 'Abstinence from every thing which can be deemed labor.More appropriately,
2.
The refraining from an indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications of animal propensities. It denotes a total forbearance, as in fasting, or a forbearance of the usual quantity. In the latter sense, it may coincide with temperance, but in general, it denotes a more sparing use of enjoyments than temperance. Besides, abstinence implies previous free indulgence; temperance does not.