Word of the Day

Saturday, April 21, 2001

teetotaler

\TEE-TOH-tuh-lur\ , noun;

One pledged to entire abstinence from all intoxicating drinks.

Read the full entry|See synonyms|Comment on today's word

Quotes:

Her son, in his idealized recollections, would describe her as a near teetotaler, hardly venturing beyond a lady-like glass of champagne.

-- A. M. Sperber and Eric Lax, Bogart

Her father, previously a teetotaler, had begun drinking, and his health had taken a turn for the worse.

-- Stephen A. Black, Eugene O'Neill: Beyond Mourning and Tragedy

Origin:

Teetotaler is from tee (the letter t, as in total) + total + -er. Teetotalism is the principle or practice of complete abstinence from alcoholic drinks.