different between abstaining vs abstinence

English

Verb

abstaining

1. present participle of abstain

English

Alternative forms

• abstinency

Etymology

From Middle English abstinence, from Old French abstinence, from Latin abstinentia, from abstin?ns, present participle of abstine? (“I withhold”). Equivalent to abstain +? -ence.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?æb.st?.n?ns/

Noun

abstinence (countable and uncountable, plural abstinences)

1. The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
   • 1665, John Dryden, The Indian Emperour

     Penance, fasts, and abstinence, / To punish bodies for the soul's offense.

   Complete abstinence is easier than perfect moderation. (Can we date this quote by Augustine of Hippo and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)St Augustine

   1. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism). [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
   2. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
   3. (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
2. The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
3. (obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
4. (business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.

Translations

See also

• abstention
• continence
• asexual

References

• abstinence in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

French

Etymology

From Middle French abstinence, from Old French abstinence, borrowed from Latin abstinentia.

Pronunciation

Noun

abstinence f (plural abstinences)

1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)
2. abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from alcohol)
3. abstinence (specifically act or practice of abstaining from sexual relations)

Related terms

• abstinent
• abstenir
• abstention

Further reading

• “abstinence” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Middle French

Etymology

From Old French abstinence.

Noun

abstinence f (plural abstinences)

1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)

Descendants

• French: abstinence

Old French

Alternative forms

• abstinance, astenance, astinence, austinance, austinence

Etymology

From Latin abstinentia; later modified to bring it in line with the Latin etymon.

Noun

abstinence f (oblique plural abstinences, nominative singular abstinence, nominative plural abstinences)

1. abstinence (act or practice of abstaining)

Descendants

• Middle English: abstinence
  • English: abstinence
• Middle French: abstinence
  • French: abstinence