CONTINENCE, CONTINENCY, n. L., to hold, or withhold con and teneo, to hold. See Tenet.
1. In a general sense, the restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and passions self-command.
2. Appropriately, the restraint of the passion for sexual enjoyment resistance of concupiscence forbearance of lewd pleasures hence, chastity. But the term is usually applied to males, as chastity is to females. Scipio the younger exhibited the nobles example of continence recorded in Pagan history an example surpassed only by that of Joseph in sacred history.
3. Forbearance of lawful pleasure.
Content without lawful venery, is continence without unlawful, is chastity.
4. Moderation in the indulgence of sexual enjoyment.
Chastity is either abstinence or continence abstinence is that of virgins or widows continence, that of married persons.
5. Continuity uninterrupted course. Not now used.