ABSTINENCE

Abstinence

Abstinence is a self-enforced restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstinence from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions and practical considerations.

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abstinence

Noun

  1. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
    Penance, fasts, and abstinence, / To punish bodies for the soul's offense. -
    The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one. —
    Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. —
  1. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). <ref name=SOED/>
  2. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. <ref name=SOED/>
  3. Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. <ref name=SOED/>
  1. The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. <ref name=SOED/>
  2. Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. <ref name=SOED/>
  3. Delay of spending to accrue capital.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: abstinence
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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