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continence |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Continence \Con"ti*nence\, Continency \Con"ti*nen*cy\, n. [F. continence, L. continentia See {Continent}, and cf {Countenance}.] 1. Self-restraint; self-command. He knew what to say he knew also when to leave off -- a continence which is practiced by few writers. --Dryden. 2. The restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and passions; the act or power of refraining from indulgence of the sexual appetite, esp. from unlawful indulgence; sometimes moderation in sexual indulgence. If they [the unmarried and widows] have not continency, let them marry. --1 Cor. vii. 9 (Rev. Ver. ). Chastity is either abstinence or continence: abstinence is that of virgins or widows; continence, that of married persons. --Jer. Taylor. 3. Uninterrupted course; continuity. [Obs.] --Ayliffe. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: continence n 1: the exercise of self constraint in sexual matters [syn: {continency}] 2: voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
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