Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Abstinence \Ab"sti*nence\, n. [F. abstinence, L. abstinentia,
   fr. abstinere. See {Abstain}.]
   1. The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance
      of any action, especially the refraining from an
      indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications
      of animal or sensual propensities. Specifically, the
      practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages, --
      called also {total abstinence}.

            The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers
            itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one.
                                                  --Locke.

   2. The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self of
      certain kinds of food or drink, especially of meat.

            Penance, fasts, and abstinence, To punish bodies for
            the soul's offense.                   --Dryden.

Source : WordNet®

abstinence
     n 1: the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol) [syn: {abstention}]
     2: act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite