abstinence

  1. Noun.  The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire.
  2. Noun.  Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages (also called total abstinence, teetotalism).
  3. Noun.  Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.
  4. Noun.  The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self (partly or totally) of certain kinds of food or drink, especially meat.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.