[f. ABSTENTI-ON + -OUS, analogously to contention, contentious, L. contentiōn-em, contentiōs-us.] Characterized by abstinence; self-restraining or refraining.
1879. Farrar, St. Paul, II. 447. The Colossian teachers were trying to supplement Christianity, theoretically by a deeper wisdom, practically by a more abstentious holiness.
