The practice or quality of restraining oneself from indulging in something, especially food, drink, or other pleasures.
From Latin 'abstinentia' (restraint, fasting), related to 'abstinere' (to hold back). This noun form developed in English by the 14th century, particularly in religious contexts.
The concept of abstinency became deeply intertwined with Christianity—medieval monks practiced extreme abstinency as spiritual discipline, believing that denying the body's desires would strengthen the soul, which shaped dietary practices we still follow today (like Friday fish instead of meat).
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