abstinence
(noun) act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite
abstinence, abstention
(noun) the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol)
Source: WordNet® 3.1
abstinence (countable and uncountable, plural abstinences)
The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
(ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
(obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
(business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.
Source: Wiktionary
Ab"sti*nence, n. Etym: [F. abstinence, L. abstinentia, fr. abstinere. See Abstain.]
1. 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. Locke.
2. 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. Dryden.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
20 April 2025
(noun) food mixtures either arranged on a plate or tossed and served with a moist dressing; usually consisting of or including greens
Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.
