/ ˈtempərəns; NAmE / noun [ U ]
1.
( old-fashioned ) the practice of not drinking alcohol because of your moral or religious beliefs
2.
( formal ) the practice of controlling your behaviour, the amount you eat, etc., so that it is always reasonable
SYN moderation
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French temperaunce , from Latin temperantia moderation, from temperare restrain.