The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Self-denial \Self`-de*ni"al\, n.
   The denial of one's self; forbearing to gratify one's own
   desires; self-sacrifice.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

self-denial
    n 1: the trait of practicing self discipline [syn: self-
         discipline, self-denial]
    2: the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses [syn:
       self-denial, self-discipline, self-control]
    3: renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests
       of others [syn: abnegation, self-abnegation, denial,
       self-denial, self-renunciation]