abstinence

ab·sti·nence

noun \ˈab-stə-nən(t)s\

Definition of ABSTINENCE

1

: voluntary forbearance especially from indulgence of an appetite or craving or from eating some foods

2

a : habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages b : abstention from sexual intercourse

— ab·sti·nent \-nənt\ adjective

— ab·sti·nent·ly adverb

Examples of ABSTINENCE

1. The program promoted sexual abstinence for young people.
2. <a cleric vainly preaching abstinence in a world where self-indulgence is regarded as almost a virtue>

Origin of ABSTINENCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinent-, abstinens, present participle of abstinēre

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ABSTINENCE

Synonyms: continence, self-abnegation, self-denial, sobriety, temperance

Antonyms: self-indulgence

Related Words: control, forbearance, restraint; discipline, self-command, self-control, self-discipline, self-mastery; asceticism, austerity

Near Antonyms: gluttony, greed, rapaciousness, rapacity, voraciousness, voracity; hedonism, sensuality, sybaritism

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Christian Religious Terms

Pentateuch, blasphemy, curate, doxology, eremite, iconoclasm, liturgy, orison, pneuma, reliquary