Abstinence Meaning
/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
nounThe act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite., Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism).
Sentence Examples
The church teaches abstinence before marriage.
No one has the right to preach abstinence.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor recommended complete ____ from alcohol for one month.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctor recommended total ____ from sugar for the patient.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“to withhold”). Equivalent to abstain + -ence.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Penance, Faſts, and Abſtinence, / To puniſh Bodies for the Souls offence."
— 1665 (first performance), John Dryden, The Indian Emperour, or, The Conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards. […], London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for H[enry] Herringman […], published 1667, →OCLC, Act I, scene ii, page 11:
"The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one."
— 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC:
"These five short films by San Francisco artist James Broughton, reveal to the viewer the artistic changes undergone by the artist during his 15-year abstinence from filmmaking."
— 1981 August 22, Larry Goldsmith, “Lesbian and Gay Independents”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 6, page 10:
""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."
— 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:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor recommended complete ____ from alcohol for one month.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The doctor recommended total ____ from sugar for the patient.