abstinence
or ab·sti·nen·cy
[ ab-stuh-nuhns or ab-stuh-nuhn-see ]
/ ˈæb stə nəns or ˈæb stə nən si /
noun
forbearance from any indulgence of appetite, especially from the use of alcoholic beverages: total abstinence.
any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
Economics.
the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.
the state of being without a drug, as alcohol or heroin, on which one is dependent.
Origin of abstinence
SYNONYMS FOR abstinence
OTHER WORDS FROM abstinence
ab·sti·nent, adjective ab·sti·nent·ly, adverb pro·ab·sti·nence, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abstinence
abstention abstinenceWords nearby abstinence
abstemious,
abstention,
abstentionism,
abstergent,
abstersive,
abstinence,
abstinence syndrome,
abstinence theory,
abstr.,
abstract,
abstract algebra
Example sentences from the Web for abstinent
British Dictionary definitions for abstinent
abstinence
/ (ˈæbstɪnəns) /
noun
the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol
mainly RC Church
the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance
Derived forms of abstinence
abstinent, adjectiveWord Origin for abstinence
C13: via Old French from Latin
abstinentia, from
abstinēre to
abstain
Medical definitions for abstinent
abstinence
[ ăb′stə-nəns ]
n.
The act or practice of refraining from indulgence in an appetite, as for certain foods, drink, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or sex.