abstinence

== English == === Alternative forms === abstinency === Etymology === From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“I withhold”). Equivalent to abstain +‎ -ence. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/ Hyphenation: ab‧sti‧nence === Noun === abstinence (countable and uncountable, plural abstinences) The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.] Synonym: abstention Near-synonyms: abstentiousness, abstemiousness Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). [First attested around 1150 to 1350.] Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.] (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.] The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.] (obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.] (business) Delay of spending to accrue capital. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== === References === “abstinence”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. == French == === Etymology === Inherited from Middle French abstinence, from Old French abstinence, borrowed from Latin abstinentia. === Pronunciation === === Noun === abstinence f (plural abstinences) abstinence (act or practice of abstaining) abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from alcohol) abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from sexual relations) ==== Related terms ==== abstinent abstenir abstention === Further reading === “abstinence”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 == Middle French == === Etymology === From Old French abstinence. === Noun === abstinence f (plural abstinences) abstinence (act or practice of abstaining) ==== Descendants ==== French: abstinence == Old French == === Alternative forms === abstinance, astenance, astinence, austinance, austinence === Etymology === 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 === abstinence oblique singular, f (oblique plural abstinences, nominative singular abstinence, nominative plural abstinences) abstinence (act or practice of abstaining) ==== Descendants ==== Middle French: abstinenceFrench: abstinence → Middle Dutch: abstinentie Dutch: abstinentie→ Indonesian: abstinensi → Middle English: abstinence English: abstinence