Fasting

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈfæstɪŋ/

Definitions

1. The practice of intentionally refraining from food or drink for a designated timeframe, frequently linked to spiritual, health, or purification objectives
2. A conscious decision to abstain from eating or drinking for a certain span, often for health, religious, or cleansing purposes
3. The act of voluntarily avoiding food and beverages for a specified duration, typically associated with health benefits, spiritual growth, or detoxification practices

Etymology: "Fasting" is a verbal noun built from the verb "fast" plus the suffix "-ing," so its history is essentially the history of "fast" itself. The verb "fast" goes back to Old English "fæstan," meaning to abstain from food, and the root sense of the adjective "fast" (firm, steadfast) is related. The idea behind the word is one of holding firm, a kind of self-restraint that keeps one tied to a fixed course. Because the suffix is simply attached to an existing verb, the noun carries the same core meaning: the act of going without food. The word was used this way long before modern health or detox trends, and it has long been tied to religious observance, which is why it still carries that spiritual sense today.

Synonyms: abstinence, self-denial, dieting, withholding, refraining

Antonyms: feasting, indulgence, gluttony, satiation, consumption