Wiktionary

abstinence

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“I withhold”). Equivalent to abstain +‎ -ence.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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abstinence (countable and uncountable, plural abstinences)

  1. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
    1. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
    2. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
      Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed contraception.
    3. (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
      • 1995 September 18, Rafael Alvarez, “Catholics asked to avoid eating meat on Fridays Cardinal suggests abstinence in weeks leading up to Pope's visit”, in Baltimore Sun‎[1]:
        "The church teaching before Vatican II was that it was 'gravely sinful' to take 2 ounces of meat on a day of abstinence such as Friday," said the Rev. Joseph S. Rossi, a Jesuit professor of church history at Loyola College.
  2. (Should we delete(+) this sense?) The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][1]
  3. (Should we delete(+) this sense?) (obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][1]
  4. (business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.

Derived terms

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Translations

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief, William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “abstinence”, in The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 10.

French

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Etymology

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Inherited from Middle French abstinence, from Old French abstinence, borrowed from Latin abstinentia.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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abstinence f (plural abstinences)

  1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)
  2. abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from alcohol)
  3. abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from sexual relations)
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Further reading

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Middle French

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Etymology

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From Old French abstinence.

Noun

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abstinence f (plural abstinences)

  1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)

Descendants

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  • French: abstinence

Old French

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Latin abstinentia, at least in this form (some of the variants may only be semi-learned); later modified to bring it in line with the Latin etymon.

Noun

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abstinence oblique singular, f (oblique plural abstinences, nominative singular abstinence, nominative plural abstinences)

  1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)

Descendants

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