con·ti·nence   (kŏn'tə-nəns)    n.   Self-restraint; moderation. Voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge. Partial or complete abstention from sexual activity. See Synonyms at abstinence.

Continence

Con"ti*nence\, Continency \Con"ti*nen*cy\, n. [F. continence, L. continentia. See Continent, and cf. Countenance.]

1. Self-restraint; self-command.

He knew what to say; he knew also, when to leave off, -- a continence which is practiced by few writers. --Dryden.

2. The restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and passions; the act or power of refraining from indulgence of the sexual appetite, esp. from unlawful indulgence; sometimes, moderation in sexual indulgence.

If they [the unmarried and widows] have not continency, let them marry. --1 Cor. vii. 9 (Rev. Ver. ).

Chastity is either abstinence or continence: abstinence is that of virgins or widows; continence, that of married persons. --Jer. Taylor.

3. Uninterrupted course; continuity. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.

Main Entry: con·ti·nence
Pronunciation: 'känt-^&n-&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 : self-restraint in refraining fromsexual intercourse
2 : the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily continence>

continence con·ti·nence (kŏn'tə-nəns)
n.

1. Self-restraint; moderation.
2. Voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge.
3. Partial or complete abstention from sexual activity.

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con'ti·nent adj.