abstinent

Meanings

Adjective

• Refraining from indulgence, especially from the indulgence of appetite.

Noun

• One who abstains; a faster.
• One of a sect who appeared in France and Spain in the 3rd century, and believed in abstinence from meat and sex.

Origin

• First attested in the late 14th century as Middle English abstinent, abstynent, from Old French abstinent, from Latin abstinēns, present participle of abstineō. See abstain.
• From Middle English abstinent (adjective form).