The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abstinence \Ab"sti*nence\, n. [F. abstinence, L. abstinentia,
   fr. abstinere. See Abstain.]
   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.
                                                  --Locke.
      [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. --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

abstinence
    n 1: the trait of abstaining (especially from alcohol) [syn:
         abstinence, abstention]
    2: act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite