Search the Dictionary

pecifically, 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.

Want of abstinence; indulgence. [Obs.] "The inabstinence of Eve." Milton.

Marked by, or spent in, abstinence; as, an abstemious life. "One abstemious day." Pope.

perate, or sparing in the use of food and strong drinks. It expresses a greater degree of abstinence than temperance.

Characterized by abstinence; self-restraining. Farrar.

Abstinence. [R.]

With abstinence.

ies or effects of an action or state are beneficial: as, to believe in sea bathing, or in abstinence from alcoholic beverages. -- To believe on, to accept implicitly as an object of religious trust or obedience; to have faith in.

The distinctive badge of certain temperance or total abstinence organizations, as of the Blue ribbon Army. -- Blue ruin, utter ruin; also, gin. [Eng. Slang] Carlyle. -- Blue spar (Min.), azure spar; lazulite. See Lazulite. -- Blue thrush (Zoöl.), a European and Asiatic thrush (Petrocossyphus cyaneas). -- Blue verdi…

dows] 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.

A choice dainty; a delicacy. [R.] With abstinence all delicates he sees. Dryden.

e of a sect among the Jews in the time of our Savior, remarkable for their strictness and abstinence.

To practice abstinence as a religious exercise or duty; to abstain from food voluntarily for a time, for the mortification of the body or appetites, or as a token of grief, or humiliation and penitence. Thou didst fast and weep for the child. 2 Sam. xii. 21. Fasting day, a fast day; a day of fasting.…

sing. pres. of Hote to be called. Cf. Hatte. [Obs.] "That one hat abstinence." Piers Plowman.

quiring labor, perseverance, or sacrifices; toilsome; tiresome. Dost thou love watchings, abstinence, or toil, Laborious virtues all Learn these from Cato. Addison.

Total abstinence from spirituous liquor.

o look upon, as in a certain relation; to hold as an popinion; to consider; as, to regard abstinence from wine as a duty; to regard another as a friend or enemy.

Severity of life; austerity; voluntary submission to pain, abstinence, or mortification. The prince lived in this convent with all the rigor and austerity of a capuchin. Addison.

Careful; cautious; exact; nice; as, scrupulous abstinence from labor; scrupulous performance of duties.

Strictness. [Obs.] A man of stricture and firm abstinence. Shak.