abstinence/ˈæb.stɪ.nəns/EtymologyFrom Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō (“to withhold”). Equivalent to abstain + -ence.abstinence means the act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. Lexicurio rates it Distinctive — a strength score of 67 out of 100.nounThe act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.“Near-synonyms: abstentiousness, abstemiousness”The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.; Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism).“For quotations using this term, see Citations:abstinence.”The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.; Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.“Abstinence is the only 100% guaranteed contraception.”The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.; Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance.“"The church teaching before Vatican II was that it was 'gravely sinful' to take 2 ounces of meat on a day of abstinence such as Friday," said the Rev. Joseph S. Rossi, a Jesuit professor of church history at Loyola College.”The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything.Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything.