continence
pronunciation
How to pronounce continence in British English:
UK [ˈkɒntɪnəns]
How to pronounce continence in American English:
US [ˈkɑntɪnəns]
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- Noun:
- the exercise of self constraint in sexual matters
- voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
Word Origin
- continence (n.)
- late 14c., "self-restraint," from Old French continence (14c.), from Latin continentia "a holding back, repression," from continent-, present participle stem of continere (see continent). Especially of sexual desire from late 14c.; of the body's eliminatory functions, from 1915. Related: Continency.
Example
- 1. Youthful continence shows up in all manner of social indicators .
- 2. Those who think deficit spending a sin may pray for government continence but not yet .
- 3. Deadlines are to trade negotiators what chastity and continence were to st augustine : distant aspirations rather than binding obligations .
- 4. Saint augustine of hippo , one of christianity 's most revered figures , famously asked god to help him achieve " chastity and continence , but not yet " .
- 5. If this sounds old-fashioned in an age of working women , gender equality and relative sexual continence , then open your eyes and look around you : the man with the most money or power still gets more sexual opportunities than the man with the least .