Abstinences

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Self-restraint from indulging in certain pleasures or behaviors, often for moral or health reasons
2. The practice of refraining from activities such as drinking, smoking, or eating certain foods, usually for personal or ethical motives
3. A commitment to avoiding specific habits or enjoyments, reflecting a personal choice to prioritize discipline over gratification

Etymology: "Abstinences" is simply the plural of "abstinence," so it describes multiple instances or kinds of holding back from something. The singular comes through Middle English from Old French, which took it from Latin "abstinentia," a noun built on "abstinēns," the present participle of "abstineō," meaning "to withhold." The Latin verb itself is made from "abs-," meaning "away," and "teneō," meaning "hold," so the core image is of holding oneself away from something. The English suffix "-ence" marks the word as a noun of state or action, which is why "abstain" became "abstinence" and why the plural form appears when several separate acts of restraint are meant.

Synonyms: self-denials