abstinence
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: /'æbstιnəns/
[edit] Etymology
From the French abstinence, from the Latin abstinentia, from abstinere; see abstain.
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
abstinence (uncountable)
- The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire.
- 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 (also called total abstinence, teetotalism).
- Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.
- The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self (partly or totally) of certain kinds of food or drink, especially meat.
- Penance, fasts, and abstinence, / To punish bodies for the soul's offense. - John Dryden
[edit] 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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- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
- French: abstinence f.
- Interlingua: abstinentia
- Interlingua: abstinentia de alcohol
- Spanish: abstinencia f.
- Spanish: abstinencia del alcohol
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- abstinence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
