/ ˈæbstɪnəns; NAmE / noun
[ U ] ( formal ) the practice of not allowing yourself sth, especially food, alcoholic drinks or sex, for moral, religious or health reasons :
total abstinence from strong drink
—see also abstain
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French , from Latin abstinentia , from the verb abstinere , from ab- from + tenere hold.