1.  abstinence(n = noun.attribute) abstention - the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol);
is a kind of self-denial, self-discipline
Derived forms verb abstain₂, adjective abstinent₁

2.  abstinence(n = noun.act) - act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite;
is a kind of self-control, self-denial, self-discipline
has particulars: celibacy, chastity, sexual abstention, sobriety, temperance, teetotaling, teetotalism, fast, fasting, inhibition, suppression, sawm
Derived form adjective abstinent₁

1.  The act or practice of abstaining; voluntary forbearance of any action, especially the refraining from an indulgence of appetite, or from customary gratifications of animal or sensual propensities. Specifically, the practice of abstaining from intoxicating beverages, -- called also total abstinence. [1913 Webster]
"The abstinence from a present pleasure that offers itself is a pain, nay, oftentimes, a very great one." [1913 Webster]

2.  The practice of self-denial by depriving one's self of certain kinds of food or drink, especially of meat. [1913 Webster]
"Penance, fasts, and abstinence,
To punish bodies for the soul's offense." [1913 Webster]

abstinence, n.
1 the act of abstaining, esp. from food or alcohol.
2 the habit of abstaining from pleasure, food, etc.

Etymology:
ME f. OF f. L abstinentia (as ABSTINENT)

N  avoidance, abstention, abstinence, for bearance, refraining, inaction, neutrality, avoidance, evasion, elusion, seclusion, avolation, flight, escape, retreat, recoil, departure, rejection, shirker, truant, fugitive, refugee, runaway, runagate, maroon, unsought, unattempted, avoiding, neutral, shy of, elusive, evasive, fugitive, runaway, shy, wild, Adj, lest, in order to avoid, Int, forbear!, keep off, hands off!, sauve qui peut!, every man for himself!, devil take the hindmost!, things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme.

N  disuse, forbearance, abstinence, disuse, relinquishment, desuetude, disusage, not used, unemployed, unapplied, undisposed of, unspent, unexercised, untouched, untrodden, unessayed, ungathered, unculled, uncalled for, not required, disused, done with.

N  temperance, moderation, sobriety, soberness, forbearance, abnegation, self-denial, self-restraint, self-control, frugality, vegetarianism, teetotalism, total abstinence, abstinence, abstemiousness, Encratism, prohibition, system of Pythagoras, system of Cornaro, Pythagorism, Stoicism, vegetarian, Pythagorean, gymnosophist, teetotaler, abstainer, designated driver, Encratite, fruitarian, hydropot, temperate, moderate, sober, frugal, sparing, abstemious, abstinent, within compass, measured, on the wagon, on the water wagon, dry, Pythagorean, vegetarian, teetotal, appetitus rationi obediant, l'abstenir pour jouir c'est l'epicurisme de la rai, trahit sua quemque voluptas.