— abstinent , adj. — abstinently , adv.
/ab"steuh neuhns/ , n.
1. forbearance from any indulgence of appetite, esp. from the use of alcoholic beverages: total abstinence.
2. any self-restraint, self-denial, or forbearance.
3. Econ. the conserving of current income in order to build up capital or savings.
4. the state of being without a drug, as alcohol or heroin, on which one is dependent.
Also, abstinency .
[ 1250-1300; ME abstinentia. See ABSTAIN, -ENCE ]
Syn. 1. abstemiousness, sobriety, teetotalism.