abstinence

Meaning

Noun

• The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
• The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything.
• Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything.
• Delay of spending to accrue capital.

Origin

• From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstinēns, present participle of abstineō. Equivalent to abstain + -ence.