abstemiousness en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /əbˈsti.mi.əs.nəs/ (General-American)
- (US) audio
- /æbˈsti.mi.əs.nəs/ (General-American)
Etymology
Etymology tree English abstemious Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English abstemiousness From abstemious + -ness.
Meanings
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(uncountable) The quality of being abstemious, temperate, or sparing, particularly in the use of food and strong drinks.
He was temperate in his meals and diversions, but always kept a little on this side of abstemiousness. Only in the use of the Indian weed he might be thought a little excessive.
1833, [Charles Lamb], “Preface. By a Friend of the Late Elia.”, in The Last Essays of Elia. […], London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page ix:
Synonyms
Translations (5)
eo abstemio (austerity) · nl onthouding (austerity) · nl gematigheid (austerity) · eo ŝparemo (austerity) · eo abstinado (austerity)