temperance

tem·per·ance

noun \ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s, -pərn(t)s\

Definition of TEMPERANCE

1

: moderation in action, thought, or feeling : restraint

2

a : habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions

b : moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages

Examples of TEMPERANCE

1. The minister preached about temperance.
2. <my father attributes his ripe old age to temperance in all things, especially eating and drinking>

Origin of TEMPERANCE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin temperantia, from temperant-, temperans, present participle of temperare to moderate, be moderate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TEMPERANCE

Synonyms

moderateness, moderation, temperateness

Antonyms

excessiveness, immoderacy, immoderateness, immoderation, intemperance, intemperateness

Related Words

constraint, control, discipline, restraint, self-control, self-discipline; middle-of-the-roadism; asceticism, austerity, frugality, mortification, sacrifice, self-command, self-containment, self-denial, self-mastery; abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance; rationality, rationalness, reasonability, reasonableness, sensibility, sensibleness; abstinence, soberness, sobriety, teetotalism

Near Antonyms

excess, superfluity; extremeness, extremity; unconstraint, unrestraint; extremism, radicalness; irrationality, unreasonableness; insobriety

tem·per·ance

noun \ˈtem-p(ə-)rən(t)s, -pərn(t)s\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TEMPERANCE

: habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions; specifically : moderation in or abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages