Refraining from the use of certain articles of diet, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or from sexual intercourse. [L. abs-tineo, to hold back, fr. teneo, to hold]
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1) voluntary forbearance esp. from sexual intercourse or from eating some foods
2) habitual abstaining from intoxicating beverages
ab·sti·nent -nənt adj
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ab·sti·nence (abґsti-nəns) a refraining from the use of or indulgence in food, stimulants, or sexual activity.Medical dictionary. 2011.