[ad. L. abstinentia: see ABSTINENCE.] The quality of being abstinent; the habit or practice of abstaining, especially from food; fasting; a fast. (Not always kept distinct from ABSTINENCE, the action of refraining, but never used with from.)
1576. Woolton, Chr. Manual (1851), 46. Ignorant people undoubtedly, if they see any men lean with abstinency … conceive an especial conceit of their sanctimony and holiness.
1649. Selden, Laws of Eng. (1739), II. xxxiv. 153. She wanted a mind to that course of life [marriage] from natural abstinency.
1683. Tryon, Way to Health, 76. Abstinency is the only Physitian that a man can make use of … also, Abstinency is the most skilfullest cook.
1767. A. Ferguson, Ess. Hist Civil Soc., III. iv. 208. In North America, we are told, that she joins to the reserves of a cold or a moderate temperament, the abstinencies to which she submits from the consideration of this difficulty.
1874. Reynolds, John Bapt., iii. § 2. 165. John the Nazarite, in … his duties and abstinencies.
