ten-, tent-, tin-, -tain, -tainment, -tenance, -tinence
(Latin: hold, grasp, have)
abstain, abstains; abstained; abstaining (verbs)
1. Choosing not to do or to have something: "Clarence is abstaining from taking part in the discussion."
2. The process of choosing not to vote: "Some members of the committee were not voting for the proposal; six members were voting against it and two were abstaining."
3. To hold oneself back or to voluntarily do without something; to refrain from doing something: "It is a struggle to abstain from eating a large slice of chocolate birthday cake."
2. The process of choosing not to vote: "Some members of the committee were not voting for the proposal; six members were voting against it and two were abstaining."
3. To hold oneself back or to voluntarily do without something; to refrain from doing something: "It is a struggle to abstain from eating a large slice of chocolate birthday cake."
abstain, abstemious
abstain (ab STAYN, uhb STAYN)
1. To refrain from something by one's own choice: "He promised to abstain from traditional political rhetoric."
2. To refrain from voting: "Forty-five senators voted in favor of the new health bill, forty-five voted against it, and twenty-five decided to abstain."
2. To refrain from voting: "Forty-five senators voted in favor of the new health bill, forty-five voted against it, and twenty-five decided to abstain."
abstemious (ab STEE mee uhs, uhb STEE mee uhs)
Marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol: "Her mother was known as an abstemious eater and drinker who always had healthy meals for her family."
"Her sister's midlife heart attack made her realize the importance of taking care of her body and turned her toward a more abstemious and healthful lifestyle."
The terms abstain and abstemious seem to have similar formats and both have meanings involving "self-restraint" or "self-denial".
Although they may appear to come from the same root and both of them start with the Latin prefix abs-, meaning "from" or "away"; abstain is traced back to abs- plus the Latin verb tenēre, "to hold"; while abstemious gets its -temious from a suffix related to the Latin noun temetum, "intoxicating drink".
1. A person who chooses to avoid doing something regarded as improper or unhealthy; especially, the drinking of alcoholic beverages or the smoking of cigarettes: "The members of the club were all abstainers from the use of alcohol or tobacco."
2. Those who practice self denial as a spiritual discipline: "The spiritual hermit on the mountain was renowned as an abstainer from eating meat."
2. Those who practice self denial as a spiritual discipline: "The spiritual hermit on the mountain was renowned as an abstainer from eating meat."
abstaining (adjective)
A reference to the avoidance of some activity and not using harmful substances; such as alcohol, drugs, or fatty foods, etc.: "The abstaining couple improved their health and well being by not using hard liquor or any other kind of intoxicants anymore."
1. Voluntarily doing without something: "The girl's abstention from chocolate was a choice she made because it was causing skin problems."
2. A refusal to vote either for or against a proposal: "The committee vote resulted in five ayes, ten nays, and four abstentions."
3. The deliberate choice of not doing something: "The abstention by the mayor during the vote resulted in the proposal being defeated."
2. A refusal to vote either for or against a proposal: "The committee vote resulted in five ayes, ten nays, and four abstentions."
3. The deliberate choice of not doing something: "The abstention by the mayor during the vote resulted in the proposal being defeated."
abstinence (s) (noun)
1.The action or process of voluntarily refraining from some behavior, or practice; self-control: "While trying to lose weight, Steve's sister practiced abstinence from excessive red meat and junk food; instead, she ate a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains all of which made her feel better and even look better."
2. The practice of not doing or having something that is wanted or enjoyable: "Jeremy started to drink again after a long period of total abstinence from alcoholic consumption."
2. The practice of not doing or having something that is wanted or enjoyable: "Jeremy started to drink again after a long period of total abstinence from alcoholic consumption."
"Abstinence may refer to denial of certain foods and drinks thought to be harmful to a person's health; however, it can also refer to refraining from behavior that is considered immoral."
A person who is self-restraining; not indulging with one's appetite; especially, for food or drink: "As an abstinent, the coach was described as a role model for the players on the football team."
abstinently (adverb)
A reference to the restraint of someone's appetites or desires: "Russell abstinently practiced self-denial so he could provide for his family's needs."
appertain
1. To belong to or to relate to something.
2. To belong as a proper function or part; such as, problems appertaining to social reform.
3. Etymology: from Old French apartenir, from Late Latin adpertinere, "to pertain to"; from ad-, "to, completely" + pertinere, "to belong to"; from per-, "through" + tenere, "to hold".
2. To belong as a proper function or part; such as, problems appertaining to social reform.
3. Etymology: from Old French apartenir, from Late Latin adpertinere, "to pertain to"; from ad-, "to, completely" + pertinere, "to belong to"; from per-, "through" + tenere, "to hold".
To belong to as parts to the whole, or as members to a family or class.
appurtenance
appurtenant
attentive
1. Paying attention; observant; listening or watching carefully and with concentration.
2. Considerate, courteous, devoted, behaving toward someone in a way that shows special regard or affection, etc.
2. Considerate, courteous, devoted, behaving toward someone in a way that shows special regard or affection, etc.
contain
container
containment
