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abstinentia

Abstinentia is a Latin noun meaning abstinence, self-restraint, or abstaining from particular pleasures. It derives from abstinere, literally “to hold away” or “to hold back” (ab- “away” + tenere “to hold”). In philosophical and religious contexts, abstinentia denotes the practice or habit of refraining from desires or indulgences to promote moral or spiritual ends.

In classical writing, abstinentia is used to discuss temperance and continence as important forms of self-governance.

In Christian theology, abstinentia is associated with ascetic discipline and sexual continence. It may refer to

Modern scholarship treats abstinentia as a broad term for abstinence in Latin sources, distinct from but related

See also: abstinence, temperance, continence.

It
appears
in
Latin
treatises
and
hagiography
as
a
practical
form
of
virtue,
often
treated
in
relation
to
other
ethical
dispositions
that
regulate
appetites
and
passions.
voluntary
fasting,
abstaining
from
meat
or
wine,
or
lifelong
vows
of
celibacy.
The
term
is
used
to
describe
both
temporary
acts
of
renunciation
and
ongoing
patterns
of
self-denial
within
monastic
and
lay
life.
to
temperantia
(temperance)
and
continencia
(continence).
It
appears
in
lexica
and
theological
works
to
name
the
practice
of
restraining
desires
across
various
domains,
including
diet,
sexuality,
and
material
indulgence.