celibacy
Abstaining from marriageAbstaining from marriage; the state of being unmarried.
» Marriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.
Meaning
2 senses(countable, uncountable)Abstaining from marriage; the state of being unmarried.
Zölibat
безбра́чиеbezbráčije, целиба́тcelibát
безшлю́бністьbezšljúbnistʹ, целіба́тcelibát
an unmarried status
(broadly, countable, uncountable)Abstinence from sexual relations.
Zölibat, Keuschheit
воздержа́ниеvozderžánije, сексуа́льное воздержа́ниеsɛksuálʹnoje vozderžánije
abstaining from sexual relations (as because of religious vows)
Examples
4 sentencesMarriage has many pains, but celibacy has no pleasures.
Lutheran doctrine abolished celibacy and the worship of images.
deDie lutherische Lehre schaffte das Zölibat und die Bilderverehrung ab. — Yorwba
Catholic priests practice celibacy.
ruКатолические священники практикуют целибат. — sharptoothed
Tom's involuntary celibacy came to an end when he let go of his sense of entitlement.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 2
By meaning 2
Origin
From Latin caelibātus (“celibacy, a single life”), from caelebs (“unmarried”). By surfaceFrom Latin caelibātus (“celibacy, a single life”), from caelebs (“unmarried”). By surface analysis, celib(ate) + -acy.
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Forms
plural: celibacies| Singular | celibacy |
|---|---|
| Plural | celibacies |
regular
Synonyms
3 synonyms- abstaining from sexual relations (as because of religious vows):chastitysexual abstention
Word family
11 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable