1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Abstinence

ABSTINENCE (from Lat. abstinere, to abstain), the fact or habit of refraining from anything, but usually from the indulgence of the appetite and especially from strong drink. “Total abstinence” and “total abstainer” are associated with taking the pledge to abstain from alcoholic liquor (see Temperance). In the discipline of the Christian Church abstinence is the term for a less severe form of Fasting (q.v.).