Now rare. [f. as prec. + the later suffix -ENCY.]
I. 1. Self-restraint, temperance; = CONTINENCE 1.
1547–64. Bauldwin, Mor. Philos. (Palfr.), VI. vii. A point of great continencie and integrity.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 378. Continencie of tongue.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxiii. (1887), 121. Such as liue moderately and with great continencie.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1350. A maruellous continencie & clemencie of rough citizens against their enimies, in keeping their hands from the killing of prisoners.
1610. Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, I. v. (1620), 9. Commended for abstayning from making bootie of their Images … he seasoned his continencie with a conceit.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Continency … a refraining from all things delightful that hinder perfection.
2. spec. in reference to sexual indulgence; = CONTINENCE 2.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 77. Chastite or contynency of soule and body.
1552. Bk. Com. Prayer, Matrimony. That such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 119 b. Gif sho be nocht bund with the voue of continencie.
1692. Sir T. P. Blount, Ess., 26. All such Married Priests as would not immediately quit their Wives, and take the Oath of Continency.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 65. Ethelreda was married to Egfrid … with whom she lived in a state of continency for twelve years.
† II. 3. Containing quality; inclusion, inclusiveness. Obs.
a. 1617. Bayne, Diocesans Tryall (1621), 18. By law of this virtuall continency, Philadelphia and Thiatira were included in two of the other, viz. Sardis, and Pergamus, which were their mother cities.
