abstinent

1 of 2

adjective

ab·​sti·​nent ˈab-stə-nənt 

: practicing abstinence : abstemious, continent, temperate

abstinently adverb

abstinent

2 of 2

noun

ab·​sti·​nent ˈab-stə-nənt 

plural -s

1

: one that abstains

2

usually capitalized : one of a 4th century Christian ascetic sect in southwestern Europe that rejected meat eating and held that the relation between the sexes should be purely spiritual compare priscillianist

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin abstinent-, abstinens, present participle of abstinēre "to abstain"

Noun

Middle English, derivative of abstinent abstinent entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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