Abstinence Definition

ăbstə-nəns
noun
The act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite or desire, especially for alcoholic drink or sexual intercourse.
American Heritage
The act of voluntarily doing without some or all food, drink, or other pleasures.
Webster's New World
Abstention from flesh meat on certain designated days.
Webster's New World

The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]

Wiktionary

The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

Wiktionary
Synonyms:
Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Abstinence

Noun

Singular:
abstinence
Plural:
abstinences

Origin of Abstinence

  • Middle English from Old French abstenance from Latin abstinentia from abstinēns abstinent- present participle of abstinēre to hold back abstain

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English, from Old French astinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinens, present participle of abstinēō (“withhold”).

    From Wiktionary

Abstinence Sentence Examples

  • A nearly vegetarian diet and a complete abstinence from alcoholic stimulants is the ideal in such cases, but it must be modified to suit individuals, as sometimes very strict limitations prove injurious.

  • In the discipline of the Christian Church abstinence is the term for a less severe form of Fasting.

  • In the above countries, therefore, abstinence from matrimony may be said to have been a factor of some importance in the decline.

  • A fourth was subsequently added, for the sake of symmetry, to make them correspond with the four seasons, and they became known as the jejunium vernum, aestivum, autumnale and hiemale, so that, to quote Pope Leo's words, "the law of abstinence might apply to every season of the year."

  • Non smoking at four weeks has been shown to be a good predictor of long-term abstinence.

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Words Starting With

AABABS

Words Ending With

ECENCE

Unscrambles

abstinence

Words Starting With A and Ending With E

Starts With A & Ends With EStarts With AB & Ends With EStarts With A & Ends With CE

Word Length

10 Letter Words10 Letter Words Starting With A10 Letter Words Ending With E