abstinence:
1. Generally speaking, voluntarily refraining from anything, including food, alcoholic drinks, addictive drugs, sexual activities.2. Or: sexual-abstinence , refraining from sexual/genital relations of any kind, temporarily or permanently, as a religious requirement, as a contraceptive measure or for other motives. Refraining from sexual-intercourse during menstruation , ovulation or late pregnancy are examples of temporary abstinence. Periodic (sexual) abstinence during the fertile period of the menstrual cycle is the basis for the method of birth-control known as natural family planning. The lifelong vow of celibacy and chastity taken by monks, priests and nuns is an example of permanent or total (sexual) abstinence. Synonyms and quasi-synonyms: celibacy ; chastity ; coitus-abstentia ; continence; self-denial; temperance; sobriety. Note: Remember, absence, not abstinence makes the heart grow founder.
Quote: Alex(andra) Medford (Cher) in The Witches of Eastwick (1987): ' I think we're a little young to lock it and throw away the key .'
See Also: abstinence, abstinence rule, celibacy, coitus abstentia, dehorn, holy week, insomnia sexualis, new celibacy, rule of abstinence, sexual abstinence
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