— celibatic /sel'euh bat"ik/ , adj.
/sel"euh beuh see/ , n.
1. abstention from sexual relations.
2. abstention by vow from marriage: the celibacy of priests.
3. the state of being unmarried.
[ 1655-65; caeliba ( tus ) celibacy ( caelib-, s. of caelebs single + -atus -ATE 3 ) + -CY ]