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more about abstinence
abstinence |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Abstinence \Ab"sti*nence\, n. [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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: abstinence n 1: the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol) [syn: {abstention}] 2: act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite
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