51Թ

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abstinence

[ ab-stuh-nuhns ]

noun

  1. forbearance, especially habitual forbearance as a lifestyle choice, from any indulgence of a particular appetite, such as from sex or from the use of alcoholic beverages:

    The program promotes sexual abstinence for teens, but also provides information on contraception in case they become sexually active.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
  3. the act of abstaining for any length of time from a substance or activity to which one has become addicted, but without actually dealing with the root causes of dependency: sobriety ( def 3 ).

    Abstinence addresses the symptoms of addiction, while sobriety has deeper mental and emotional dimensions.

  4. the act of abstaining from a particular substance or activity as a spiritual discipline, as during Lent or some other period of religious fasting or self-denial:

    At one time Lenten abstinence from meat was stricter than it is today.

  5. Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.


abstinence

/ ˈæɪəԲ /

noun

  1. the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol
  2. RC Church the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈپԱԳ, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·پ·ԱԳ adjective
  • ··پ·ԱԳ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of abstinence1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English word from Latin word abstinentia. See abstain, -ence
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of abstinence1

C13: via Old French from Latin abstinentia, from پŧ to abstain
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

"Because Friday was the day of the crucifixion, Fridays were always regarded as a day of penance and abstinence," he said.

From

Along with her fiancé, they have committed to abstinence until after their wedding.

From

Now the researchers hope their conclusions will bring a better understanding of the factors underlying the pattern of alcohol consumption, from abstinence to occasional use to harmful dependence.

From

Even as a child or teenager, you should resist billions of dollars in alcohol and drug advertising and embrace abstinence.

From

To May, abstinence is not the answer to teens’ problems with social media.

From

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