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.Definition 2024
abstinence
abstinence
English
Alternative forms
Noun
abstinence (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
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 10
- abstinence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
French
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)
Old French
Alternative forms
- abstinance
- astinence
- austinance
- austinence
Noun
abstinence f (oblique plural abstinences, nominative singular abstinence, nominative plural abstinences)
- abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)