What does abstemiousness mean?
Abstemiousness is the quality of exercising moderation and self-restraint, particularly in the consumption of food and drink. A person noted for abstemiousness eats sparingly, drinks little or nothing intoxicating, and generally avoids excess. The word derives from 'abstemious', which traces back to the Latin 'abstemius', formed from 'abs' (away from) and 'temetum' (an intoxicating beverage), so its core image is one of holding back from the wine cup. While it applies most directly to diet, abstemiousness can describe temperance in any pleasure or indulgence. It is a formal, literary term, usually carrying an admiring tone that suggests discipline and self-mastery, though it may occasionally imply austerity. Its antonyms include indulgence, gluttony, and excess. Related forms are the adjective 'abstemious' and the adverb 'abstemiously'. The word should not be confused with 'abstinence', which denotes complete avoidance of something rather than moderate use.
nounThe quality or habit of moderation and self-restraint, especially in eating and drinking.
- Moderation and self-restraint in eating and drinking.
- More generally, habitual restraint or temperance in any indulgence or pleasure.
"His lifelong abstemiousness was attributed to the frugal habits of his upbringing."
"Her abstemiousness at dinner — a single glass of water, a small plate of vegetables — astonished her hosts."
"The monk's abstemiousness extended beyond food to every comfort and luxury."
Rarely used in the plural, as the word normally denotes an uncountable quality; the plural appears only when referring to distinct instances or types of such restraint.
"The biographer catalogued the various abstemiousnesses of his subjects, from teetotalism to vegetarianism."
Abstemiousness comes from Latin 'ab' (from) and 'temetum' (intoxicating drink) — it literally means staying away from the wine cup.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of abstemiousness
Abstemiousness is derived from the adjective 'abstemious', which English borrowed from Latin 'abstemius' in the early 17th century. The Latin term combines 'abs' ('away from') with 'temetum', a word for an intoxicating drink such as mead, giving the original sense of refraining from wine. The noun form arose through the standard English suffix '-ness'. Cognates sharing the same root include 'temperance' and 'temperate', which descend from the related Latin verb 'temperare'.
Related word forms
How abstemiousness is actually used
Abstemiousness is a formal, somewhat literary word; it carries a neutral-to-admiring connotation of disciplined self-control, though it can occasionally suggest severity or joylessness. It most often describes restraint with food and drink, but by extension can apply to any form of indulgence.
Easily confused with abstemiousness
Abstinence is the complete avoidance of something (such as alcohol), while abstemiousness is habitual moderation rather than total renunciation.