释义 |
▪ I. abstaining, vbl. n.|æbˈsteɪnɪŋ| [f. abstain + -ing1.] The act or practice of keeping oneself, or refraining, from anything. (Now mostly gerundial, the n. being supplied by abstinence.)
c1440Gesta Rom. (1879) 423 This wille of abstenyng from synne ledithe here to heuyn. 1660R. Coke Elem. Power & Subj. 133 It is not alwaies the doing, or abstaining from what is commanded or forbidden, which is virtue, but only the ingenuous and upright doing or abstaining. 1744Harris Three Treat. (1841) 86 It prescribes no abstainings, no forbearances out of nature. 1850Clough Dipsychus ii. ii. 74 But for perfection attaining is one method only, abstaining. ▪ II. abstaining, ppl. a.|æbˈsteɪnɪŋ| [f. abstain + -ing2.] Practising abstinence (from alcoholic beverages).
1867J. W. Bardsley in Cleric. Testy. to Tot. Abst. 30 The bride was the daughter of an abstaining clergyman. |