Definitions for: Abstinence


[n] act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite
[n] the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)



Webster (1913) Definition: Ab"sti*nence, n. [F. abstinence, L. abstinentia,
fr. abstinere. See Abstain.]
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 abstinence, To punish bodies for
the soul's offense. --Dryden.

Synonyms: abstention

See Also: celibacy, chastity, fast, fasting, inhibition, self-control, self-denial, self-denial, self-discipline, self-discipline, sexual abstention, sobriety, suppression, teetotaling, teetotalism, temperance

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