Crossword clues for abstainer
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Abstainer \Ab*stain"er\, n. One who abstains; esp., one who abstains from the use of intoxicating liquors.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
mid-15c., "one who practices self-denial," agent noun from abstain.
Wiktionary
n. agent noun of abstain; one who abstains; especially, one who abstains from something they enjoy, such as the use of intoxicating liquors, or one who abstains for religious reasons; one who practices self-denial. (First attested around 1350 to 1470.)(R:SOED5: page=9)
WordNet
n. practices self denial as spiritual discipline [syn: ascetic]
a person who refrains from drinking intoxicating beverages [syn: abstinent, nondrinker] [ant: drinker]
Usage examples of "abstainer".
Most of my readers know very well what a petit verre is, but there may be here and there a virtuous abstainer from alcoholic fluids, living among the bayberries and the sweet ferns, who is not aware that the words, as commonly used, signify a small glass--a very small glass--of spirit, commonly brandy, taken as a chasse-cafe, or coffee-chaser.
Someone slipped her a little Valium, enough to calm a person used to drugs, but enough to put a non-drug user, a total abstainer, to sleep.
A total abstainer will no doubt turn up his nose and ask whether a cup of good warm coffee would not do as well.
Interestingly, three of the abstainers and two of the make-a-deal faction moved to the war column, and two voting originally for war dropped off the voting board.
A total abstainer is one who abstains from everything but abstention, and especially from inactivity in the affairs of others.
Stryker had told me and I'd overheard her telling Lonnie that she never drank, had not drunk alcohol for many years: an abstainer does not habitually carry around a bottle of gin just on the offchance that he or she may just suddenly feel thirsty.