Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The principles or practice of teetotalers; total abstinence from intoxicating drink, or the total-abstinence movement.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The principle or practice of entire abstinence, esp. from intoxicating drinks.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun
Abstinence from theconsumption ofalcohol .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun abstaining from alcohol
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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I have not seen the quite simple objection to the causes advocated by certain wealthy idealists; causes of which the cause called teetotalism is the strongest case.
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Then he let me exonerate Harold from the charge of intemperance, pointing out that not even after the injury and operation, nor after yesterday's cold and fatigue, had he touched any liquor; but I don't think the notion of teetotalism was gratifying, even when I called it
My Young Alcides Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862
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Our teetotaler owner - captain was laughed at, and sneered at, by all of us because of his teetotalism.
Chapter 16 2010
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It is of no avail to preach temperance and teetotalism to these people.
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Or here as an an argument against teetotalism (though since the book was printed by the Scottish Temperance League, probably not intended as a successful one): Fire is a dangerous thing, abused.
The Volokh Conspiracy » “Government Is Not Reason, It Is Not Eloquence — It Is Force” 2010
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Not only did he fail to campaign vigorously for election, said Twain, but Orion also sealed his electoral doom when he suddenly changed from a friendly attitude toward whiskey—which was the popular attitude—to uncompromising teetotalism, and went absolutely dry. . .
LIGHTING OUT FOR THE TERRITORY JR. ROY MORRIS 2010
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They supported teetotalism, as they knew very well that alcohol abuse was very much a source of bad family life back then.
mikandra: I agree and I don't agree mikandra 2010
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Not only did he fail to campaign vigorously for election, said Twain, but Orion also sealed his electoral doom when he suddenly changed from a friendly attitude toward whiskey—which was the popular attitude—to uncompromising teetotalism, and went absolutely dry. . .
LIGHTING OUT FOR THE TERRITORY JR. ROY MORRIS 2010
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Prohibition—the legislated imposition of teetotalism on the unwilling—was an idea that had been lurking beneath the earnest pieties of the temperance movement and was transformed in the late 1840s into a rallying cry.
LAST CALL DANIEL OKRENT 2010
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Prohibition—the legislated imposition of teetotalism on the unwilling—was an idea that had been lurking beneath the earnest pieties of the temperance movement and was transformed in the late 1840s into a rallying cry.
LAST CALL DANIEL OKRENT 2010
quotato commented on the word teetotalism
Nephalism, temperance, abstinence and restraint are synonyms for teetotalism. Abstinence and restraint have other, sometimes sexual connotations.
Numerous idioms and slang terms imply abstinence from alcohol. Common American terms includes "on the wagon," which frequently means those who have had a problem with alcohol, as well as the terms "dry" and "sober." "Straight-edge" is one of the newer idioms for abstaining from alcohol and other intoxicants.
July 3, 2008
dontcry commented on the word teetotalism
I would think that teetotalism would be the abstention from teets, and/or possibly even from golfing. I always thought of a person who doesn't imbibe as a person who totally prefers "tea" and therefore is a "teatotaller."
But I think the bigger question here is how does this relate to teatotalitarianism, and, of course, teetotalitarianism, as well...?
July 3, 2008
bilby commented on the word teetotalism
I capital T Totally agree.
July 3, 2008
arby commented on the word teetotalism
Ha ha ha dontcry I too tea-totally agree - I used to think the same thing, and wonder what on earth not-drinking had to do with golfing. Seemed like the people my parents hung out with liked to do a lot of genteelly drunken golfing.
July 3, 2008
arby commented on the word teetotalism
Perhaps an abstention from teats? Poor little calves, they have no choice but to become teatotallers.
July 3, 2008
gangerh commented on the word teetotalism
Personally, I'm a teepartialler. I'm partial to a drop. Verbal Arms, anyone?
July 3, 2008
reesetee commented on the word teetotalism
It's simple, you guys. Teetotalism is the act of taking a head count when my family has a reunion. :-)
July 3, 2008