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Definition of abstinence noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

abstinence

noun
 
/ˈæbstɪnəns/
 
/ˈæbstɪnəns/
 [uncountable] (formal)
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  1. abstinence (from something) the practice of not allowing yourself something, especially food, alcoholic drinks or sex, for moral, religious or health reasons
    • total abstinence from strong drink
    see also abstainTopics Cooking and eatingc2
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryAbstinence is used before these nouns:
    • pledge
    See full entry
    Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin abstinentia, from the verb abstinere, from ab- ‘from’ + tenere ‘hold’.
See abstinence in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: abstinence

Nearby words

halfway
adverb
 
 
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