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abstemious

 - 3 dictionary results

ab⋅ste⋅mi⋅ous

  [ab-stee-mee-uhs]
Use abstemious in a Sentence
–adjective
1. sparing or moderate in eating and drinking; temperate in diet.
2. characterized by abstinence: an abstemious life.
3. sparing: an abstemious diet.
Origin:
1615–25; < L abstēmius, equiv. to abs- abs- + tēm- (base of tēmētum intoxicating drink) + -ius -ious

Related forms:
ab⋅ste⋅mi⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
ab⋅ste⋅mi⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
ascetic, abstinent, temperate, nonindulgent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To abstemious
ab·ste·mi·ous   (āb-stē'mē-əs, əb-)   
adj.  

  1. Eating and drinking in moderation.

  2. Characterized by abstinence or moderation: The hermit led an abstemious way of life.


[From Latin abstēmius : abs-, ab-, away; see ab-1 + *tēmum, liquor, variant of tēmētum.]
ab·ste'mi·ous·ly adv., ab·ste'mi·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

abstemious 
1610, from L. abstemius "sober, temperate," from ab(s)- "from" + stem of temetum "strong drink," related to temulentus "drunken." Technically, of liquor, but extended in L. to temperance in living generally.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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