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fasting

adjective

  1. that abstains from or is deprived of food or drink
L1402089 on Wikidata ↗

noun

  1. willing abstinence from some, or reduced consumption of, food, drink or both, for a period of time
L320490 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈfæstɪŋ/ / /ˈfɑːstɪŋ/

noun

Etymology: By surface analysis, fast + -ing.

  1. Abstinence or mortification for religious reasons, especially abstinence from food.

    Long vigils—fastings that wore away the strength of day—prayers that banished sleep from night—hoarded vengeance, that, like a fire, consumed its abode—affections crushed to the very earth—a memory whose love was with the grave,—a faith that had coloured itself with mortal passion,—all these had pressed too heavily on the springs of life and thought;...

    Immediately after that affair Lady Wondershoot, casting about for exemplary additions to the abuse and fastings she had inflicted, issued a Ukase. She issued it first to her butler, and very suddenly, so that she made him jump.

  2. Abstinence from food, limiting caloric intake, for medical or health reasons, dieting.

    an obese patient while he was undergoing fasting for weight reduction

verb

Etymology: By surface analysis, fast + -ing.

  1. present participle and gerund of fast