continence

English

Dated from the 14th Century CE; from Old French continence, from Latin continentia (“a repression”).

Noun

continence (uncountable)

1. The voluntary control of urination and defecation.
2. Moderation or self-restraint, especially in sexual activity; abstinence.

• For examples of the usage of this term see the citations page.

Antonyms

• incontinence

Related terms

• continent

Translations

voluntary control of urination and defecation

Bulgarian: задържане (bg) n. Finnish: pidättäminen (act), pidätyskyky (ability)

Italian: continenza (it) f.

moderation or self-restraint, especially in sexual activity; abstinence

Bulgarian: въздържаност (bg) f., умереност (bg) f. Finnish: pidättyvyys (fi)

Italian: moderazione (it) f., astinenza (it) f., continenza (it) Swedish: avhållsamhet (sv), återhållsamhet (sv), måttlighet (sv)

References

• “continence” in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001