1. The ability to retain urine and/or feces until a proper time for their discharge. 2. Moderation, temperance, or self-restraint in respect to the appetites, especially to sexual intercourse. [L. continentia, fr. con- tineo, to hold back]
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1) self-restraint in refraining from sexual intercourse
2) the ability to retain a bodily discharge voluntarily <fecal \continence>
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con·ti·nence (konґtĭ-nəns) [L. continentia] the ability to refrain from yielding to desire, as self-restraint with respect to sexual indulgence.Medical dictionary. 2011.