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abstinence
[ ab-stuh-nuhns ]
/ ˈæb stə nəns /
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noun
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.
any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
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: Abstinence addresses the symptoms of addiction, while sobriety has deeper mental and emotional dimensions.See also sobriety (def. 3).
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.
Economics. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.
OTHER WORDS FOR abstinence
VIDEO FOR ABSTINENCE
What Does "Abstinence" Mean For You?
"Abstinence" is so very often about personal choices. That's why we should also try to abstain from judgment.
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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
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Which sentence is correct?
Also ab·sti·nen·cy [ab-stuh-nuhn-see] /ˈæb stə nən si/ .
Origin of abstinence
OTHER WORDS FROM abstinence
ab·sti·nent, adjectivepro·ab·sti·nence, adjectiveWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH abstinence
abstention, abstinenceWords nearby abstinence
abstemious, abstention, abstentionism, abstergent, abstersive, abstinence, abstinence syndrome, abstinence theory, abstinent, abstr., abstract
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use abstinence in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for abstinence
abstinence
/ (ˈæbstɪnəns) /
noun
the act or practice of refraining from some action or from the use of something, esp alcohol
mainly RC Church the practice of refraining from specific kinds of food or drink, esp from meat, as an act of penance
Derived forms of abstinence
abstinent, adjectiveWord Origin for abstinence
C13: via Old French from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēre to abstain
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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