adj
abstemious
Abstemious (adj) means eating and drinking only small amounts, especially of alcohol, in a careful, controlled way.
adj
1
Eating and drinking only small amounts, especially of alcohol, in a careful, controlled way.
"In the dimness of the landing I could not see him very well, but there was something in his voice that surprised me. I knew he was of abstemious habit or I should have thought he had been drinking."
— William Somerset Maugham (1919)
2
Careful not to give in too freely to one's desires or urges.
3
Used only in small, careful amounts.
4
Involving, or spent in, deliberately going without pleasures such as food or drink.
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Etymology
Abstemious comes from Latin abstēmius (“abstaining from wine”), formed from ab, abs (“from”) and tēmus, a root of tēmētum (“intoxicating drink, especially strong mead or wine”) — possibly from Proto-Indo-European *temH- (“dark (referring to the colour of wine)”) — plus -ous.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for abstemious
See all rhymes for abstemious →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of abstemious?
"abstemious" (adj) means eating and drinking only small amounts, especially of alcohol, in a careful, controlled way.
What is another word for abstemious?
Other words for "abstemious" include temperate, abstinent, light, sober, continent, chary.
What is the opposite of abstemious?
The opposite of "abstemious" is gluttonous.
What are the different meanings of abstemious?
"abstemious" has 3 main meanings: 1. Eating and drinking only small amounts, especially of alcohol, in a careful, controlled way; 2. Careful not to give in too freely to one's desires or urges; 3. Used only in small, careful amounts.
