abstentiousadj.
/əbˈstɛnʃəs/, U.S. /əbˈstɛn(t)ʃəs/, /æbˈstɛn(t)ʃəs/ Abstinent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > physical sensibility > moderation in sensuous gratification > [adjective] > abstinent
continentc1384
abstinenta1400
abstentious1839
1839 Raleigh Reg. & N. Carolina Gaz. 18 May It is fortunate that he is so abstentious, for were it otherwise, he would be exceedingly dangerous.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul II. x. xlviii. 447 The Colossian teachers were trying to supplement Christianity, theoretically by a deeper wisdom, practically by a more abstentious holiness.
1937 Pacific Hist. Rev. 6 101 The correctly abstentious policy of the State Department concerning participation by Americans in the political affairs of foreign states.
1965 Ebony May 119/1 Abstentious Ernest..doesn't play golf or bet on horses.
2001 R. Boyd & P. J. Richerson in G. Gigerenzer & R. Selten Bounded Rationality (2002) xvi. 290 Self-indulgent individuals succumb to the temptations of strong drink, while abstentious individuals restrain themselves.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.1839