Definition of "abstinence"

The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.  quotations

1. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism).  examples

2. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.  examples

3. (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance.  quotations  examples

   Quotations

   • "The church teaching before Vatican II was that it was 'gravely sinful' to take 2 ounces of meat on a day of abstinence such as Friday," said the Rev. Joseph S. Rossi, a Jesuit professor of church history at Loyola College.

     1995 September 18, Rafael Alvarez, “Catholics asked to avoid eating meat on Fridays Cardinal suggests abstinence in weeks leading up to Pope's visit”, in Baltimore Sun‎

(Should we delete(+) this sense?) The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything.  examples

(obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything.

(business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.  examples