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Tuesday September 15, 2009

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abstemious [ab-STEE-mee-uhs]

adjective

1. Sparing in consumption of especially food and drink; temperate; abstinent.
2. Sparingly used or consumed; used with temperance or moderation.
3. Marked by temperance in indulgence.

• Plans are afoot to include more international ideas in NEO's menu, which already has a labyrinth of categories. Listed within them are dishes for vegetarians and for diners who prefer cooked fish or riceless rolls. The mix-and-match offerings will satisfy both the abstemious snacker and the diner hungry for a full meal.
  M. H. Reed, "East and West In a Complex Fusion", New York Times, Aug 23, 2009
• What would your customers say if they could see your expenses claim? The abstemious can rest easy. But extravagant restaurant receipts, first-class travel and accommodation, huge taxi fares - such things might not endear you to the people you are supposed to be serving. You should expect a tough conversation about the prices you charge if customers get the impression you are enjoying the high life with their money.
  Stefan Stern, "Managers who act like owners", FT.com, Jul 6, 2009
• Ripton was excited, overdone with delight. He had already finished one bottle, and listened, pleasantly flushed, to his emphatic and more abstemious chief. He had nothing to do but to listen, and to drink.
  George Meredith (1828 - 1909) An English novelist and poet. The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, v4 (1905)

Origin of the Word

Abstemious, approximately 1610, derives from Latin abstemius "sober, temperate," from ab(s)- "from" + stem of temetum "strong drink," related to temulentus "drunken."