Abstinence

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Middle English: from Old French, from Latin abstinentia, from the verb abstinere (see abstain).

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

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abstinence (n.)

mid-14c., "forbearance in indulgence of the appetites," from Old French abstinance (earlier astenance), from Latin abstinentia "abstinence, starvation; self-restraint, integrity," abstract noun from abstinentem (nominative abstinens), present participle of abstinere/abstenere "withhold, keep back, keep off," from assimilated form of ab "off, away from" (see ab-) + tenere "to hold," from PIE root *ten- "to stretch." Especially of sexual appetites but also in Middle English of food, fighting, luxury.