Abstemiousness

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /æbˈsti.mi.əs.nəs/

Definitions

1. The quality of practicing self-restraint and moderation, especially in consuming food and alcohol, or more broadly, the habit of avoiding excess in any form
2. The practice of exercising strict self-control and avoiding excess in consumption, indulgence, or behavior
3. A characteristic marked by deliberate restraint from overindulgence in food, drink, or other pleasures and activities

Etymology: Abstemiousness is a plain English formation: the adjective "abstemious" with the suffix "-ness" attached, turning a quality into a noun. The adjective is the more interesting half. It comes from Latin "abstemius," built from "abs-" meaning "away" and "temetum," an intoxicating drink, so the original sense was specifically about avoiding wine. Its meaning later widened from abstaining from strong drink to restraint in eating and drinking generally, which is the sense this noun carries. The suffix "-ness" has a long history of its own. It descends from Old English "-nes," which was used to form abstract nouns from adjectives, and it has been productive in English ever since, so it can be added to almost any adjective. Abstemiousness therefore combines an ancient Latin root with one of the oldest and most productive English noun-forming endings.

Synonyms: temperance, moderation, self-restraint

Antonyms: gluttony, excess, indulgence