[f. ABSTAIN + -ER1.] One who abstains; esp. one who abstains from eating or drinking particular things; in older writers a Nazarite, in modern use an abstainer from alcoholic beverages, a ‘total abstainer.’
1535. Coverdale, Amos ii. 12. But ye gaue the absteyners wyne and drynke [Wyclif Naȝareys: 1611 Nazarites]. Ibid., Lam. iv. 7. Hir absteyners (or Nazarees) were whyter then ye snowe or mylke.
1683. Tryon, Way to Health, 407. The holy Men and Prophets … were strict Abstainers, and separated themselves from the Uncleannesses, Oppressions and Violencies that the superfluous worldly Belly-Gods do subject themselves unto.
1862. Sat. Rev., XIII. 617/2. This observation supplies an answer to some of the usual arguments of the total-abstainers.
1879. Black, Macleod of Dare, xxxvi. 322. If they ever put up an asylum in Mull, it will be a lunatic asylum for incurable abstainers.
