continence — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The voluntary control of urination and defecation.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   To maintain continence, the puborectalis muscle chokes the anal canal. The sling of tissue is supposed to release during defecation. Mine has not been doing that.

2. Moderation or self-restraint, especially in sexual activity; abstinence.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Examples

   For quotations using this term, see Citations:continence.

   He knew what to say; he knew also, when to leave off, — a continence which is practised by few writers.

   More examples (2)

   Chastity is either abstinence or continence: abstinence is that of virgins or widows; continence of married persons.

   For this was a line so little frequented, especially at this hour, when the driver, the stoker, the guard and the station staffs all along the line, were anhelating towards their wives, after the long hours of continence, that the train would hardly draw up, when it would be off again, like a bouncing ball.

3. Uninterrupted course; continuity.

   Usage

   • Uncountable
   • usually

   Examples

   the Continence of the Cause should be divided

Noun

1. the exercise of self constraint in sexual matters

   Synonyms

   continency

   Broader terms

   self-disciplineself-denial

2. voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge

   Broader terms

   restraintcontrol