[See -ISM.] The principle or practice of total abstinence from alcoholic liquors.
1834. Preston, Temp. Adv., Aug., 62/2. The flame of real tee-totalism was communicated at this meeting.
1839. W. Jay, in Autobiog., x. (1854), 104. The subject of Teetotallism I have examined physically, morally and Christianly.
1843. Carlyle, Past & Pr. (1845), II. x. 67–8. But if he did [get some slight wetting of vinous or alcoholic liquor] it was in silence and darkness, with an ever-present feeling that teetotalism was his only true course.
1863. J. Paget, Paradoxes & Puzzles, Ess. Art, iii. (1874), 456. Mr. Cruikshank has embraced the doctrines of teetotalism with the zeal natural to his genius.
1897. W. H. G. Temple, in Chicago Advance, 18 Nov., 712/2. [On the] question of drink, there is but one safe, one reasonable stand—that of absolute teetotalism.
