continence

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈkɑntənəns/ UK /ˈkɒntɪnəns/ See IPA manual

noun

Meanings

1

noun
self-restraint, especially regarding bodily appetites

The monastic rule demanded continence in food and speech alike.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · self-restraint, especially... self-restraintabstinence temperance moderation chastity self-control

Opposites

incontinence indulgence intemperance licentiousness

Word family

Related forms continent continently contain

Etymology

From Latin continentia ('a holding back, self-restraint'), from continere ('to hold together, restrain'), from con- ('together') + tenere ('to hold').

continentia Latin tenere Latin *ten- Proto-Indo-European

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

# continence

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** ˈkɑntənəns
**IPA (UK):** ˈkɒntɪnəns

## Meanings
1. self-restraint, especially regarding bodily appetites

## Examples
- The monastic rule demanded continence in food and speech alike.

## Synonyms
- self-restraint
- abstinence
- temperance
- moderation
- chastity
- self-control

## Antonyms
- incontinence
- indulgence
- intemperance
- licentiousness

## Related Forms
- continent
- continently
- contain

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: continentia
- Root: tenere
- Root: *ten-

## Etymology
From Latin continentia ('a holding back, self-restraint'), from continere ('to hold together, restrain'), from con- ('together') + tenere ('to hold').

## AI Etymology
Continence is a noun meaning "self-restraint, especially regarding bodily appetites". Historically, it is from Latin continentia ('a holding back, self-restraint'), from continere ('to hold together, restrain'), from con- ('together') + tenere ('to hold'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: continence is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Latin continentia, Latin tenere, and Proto-Indo-European *ten-. Close English family members include continent, continently, and contain.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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continence

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