abstinence
ab•sti•nence (ab´stənəns) n.
[[ME < OFr < L abstinentia < prp. of abstinere: see abstain]]
1 the act of voluntarily doing without some or all food, drink, or other pleasures; specif.,
a) abstention from alcoholic beverages
b) abstention from sexual intercourse
2 R.C.Ch. abstention from flesh meat on certain designated days
—ab´stinent adj.
—ab´stinently adv.
