English word abstinence comes from Latin teneo, Latin abs, and later Latin abstinentia (Abstinence, self-restraint. Fasting.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| teneo | Latin (lat) | (of laws) I am binding on; bind, hold, obligate. (reflexive) I keep back, remain, stay, hold position. I comprise, contain, include, hold. I hold fast, restrain, detain, check, control; bind, fetter. I hold, have; grasp. I insist, uphold. I know, grasp, understand, conceive. I possess, occupy, control. I reach, attain; gain, acquire, obtain. I recollect, retain knowledge of, remember, bear [...] |
| abs | Latin (lat) | |
| abstinere | Latin (lat) | |
| abstinens | Latin (lat) | |
| abstinentia | Latin (lat) | Abstinence, self-restraint. Fasting. |
| abstinence | Old French (fro) | Abstinence (act or practice of abstaining). |
| abstinence | English (eng) | (business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.. (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]. (obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). [First [...] |