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/ˈæbstənəns/ Listen

noun

Abstinence n.

The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance of any action, especially the refraining from an indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications of animal or sensual propensities. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages, called also total abstinence. "The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one."

The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self of certain kinds of food or drink, especially of meat. "Penance, fasts, and abstinence, To punish bodies for the soul's offense."

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Etymology of 'Abstinence'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Abstinence" Quotes from Famous Books

... flourished many centuries ago, and who foretold the coming of the pale-faces, though long before the foot of our forefathers had touched the western continent. He warned his people with prophetic fervor of the coming encroachments of the white man, and the necessity of their abstinence from a poison drink he would bring to craze and destroy them. He told them that he should die and be buried out of their sight, but that THEIR DESCENDANT WOULD SEE HIM—AGAIN. J.P. FOSTER, State Agent and ...

— The American Goliah • Anon.

... inwardly. Thirsts were on his Celtic soul that longed for dalliance with the Orient; but he well knew that tone of voice, and sadly resigned himself to abstinence. ...

— The Flying Legion • George Allan England

... careful attention to the gastro-intestinal tract in many cases of epilepsy. Planned diet and regular bowels are very helpful. He rejects treatment of the condition by surgery of the head, either by trephining or by incisions, or cauterization. Regular exercise, baths, sexual abstinence are the foundation of any successful treatment. It is probable that we have returned to Alexander's treatment of epilepsy much more nearly than is generally thought. There are those who still think that remedies ...

— Old-Time Makers of Medicine • James J. Walsh

... worse, Marilda is the most literal-minded girl. Fasting was quite a new mind to her, for she never realises what she does not see; and she got Clem into a corner, where I heard him going on, nothing loth, about days of abstinence, out of Mr. Fulmort's last catechising, I should think; and ended by asking what Cousin Edward did, so that I fully expected that I should find her eating nothing, and that I ...

— The Pillars of the House, V1 • Charlotte M. Yonge

... the Cathedral School. He studied theology in France, in the seminaries of Meximieux and Hyeres. During the Civil War he was chaplain of the Fifth Minnesota Regiment. In 1875 he was consecrated bishop of Saint Paul. In 1869 he founded the first total-abstinence society in Minnesota and has lectured much on temperance in the United States and Great Britain. The following extracts, used by special permission, are from his lecture delivered before the New York Commandery of the Loyal Legion, New York, ...

— America First - Patriotic Readings • Various

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