abstemious

American  

[ab-stee-mee-uhs] / æbˈsti mi əs /

adjective

1. sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.

2. characterized by abstinence.

   an abstemious life.

3. sparing.

   an abstemious diet.

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abstemious British  

/ əbˈstiːmɪəs /

adjective

1. moderate or sparing, esp in the consumption of alcohol or food; temperate

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Other Word Forms

• abstemiously adverb
• abstemiousness noun
• nonabstemious adjective
• nonabstemiously adverb
• nonabstemiousness noun
• overabstemious adjective
• overabstemiously adverb
• overabstemiousness noun
• unabstemious adjective
• unabstemiously adverb
• unabstemiousness noun

Etymology

Origin of abstemious

1615–25; < Latin abstēmius, equivalent to abs- abs- + tēm- (base of tēmētum intoxicating drink) + -ius -ious

Example Sentences

Though the heroes rock vivid, metallic ensembles, villainous Gorr the God Butcher is more abstemious: He wears only a white robe, and all color vanishes from the shadowy realm where he dwells.

From New York Times

I could see making a meal of it some chilly, abstemious night.

From New York Times

Whatever’s abstemious in aristocratic ways of moving gets critiqued through flawless mimicry until it emerges enhanced, almost unrecognizable, suddenly irresistible.

From New York Times

Carter was consistently ethical, abstemious, frugal and ascetic in the White House.

From Washington Post

Excessive drinking is a key part of the festival but several ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders took out a front-page ad in a community newspaper urging a more abstemious Purim this year.

From Reuters