noun

• The act or practice of abstaining, refraining from indulging a desire or appetite.
• Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating/alcoholic beverages; total abstinence; teetotalism).
• Specifically, the practice of abstaining from sexual intercourse, either permanently or until marriage.
• (ecclesiastical) Abstention from certain foods on days of penitential observance.
• The practice of self-denial; self-restraint; forebearance from anything.
• (obsolete) Self-denial; abstaining; or forebearance of anything.
• (business) Delay of spending to accrue capital.