Cōn'ti-nence or Cōn'ti-nen-cy, n.

n. [Lat. continentia, Fr. continence, Sp. & Pg. continencia, It. continenza, Pr. continentia.] 1. The restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and passions; self-command; specifically, the restraint of the passion for sexual enjoyment; resistance of concupiscence; chastity. He knew when to leave off,— a continence which is practiced by few writers. Dryden. Content without lawful venery is continence; without unlawful, is chastity. Grew. Chastity is either abstinence or continence: abstinence is that of virgins or widows; continence, that of married persons. Bp. Taylor. 2. Uninterrupted course; continuity. [Obs.]