celibate

Etymology

From French célibat, from Latin caelibātus, from caelebs (“unmarried”), compare German Zölibat.

adj

1. (chiefly religious) Not married.
2. (by extension) Abstaining from sexual relations and pleasures.
   Members of religious communities sometimes take vows to remain celibate.

noun

1. One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community.
   Even during the ages that priestly marriage was permitted, celibates obtained a higher reputation for sanctity and virtue than married priests, who infinitely more than celibates were believed subject to infestation by demons. 1893, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Woman, Church and State: A Historical Account of the Status of Woman Through the Christian Ages: with Reminiscences of the Matriarchate
2. (obsolete) A celibate state; celibacy.

verb

1. (rare) To practice celibacy
   However, be that as it may, Stason celebrated with the boys while Hessel celibated alone. 1941, Michigan Raw Review, page 34
   These kids were winding up 45 years and 4 days of celebrating. Me? I'm winding up seven years of celibating looking for a patient virgin. 1973, Stevens Indicator - Volumes 90-91, page 55
   RICHARD: The Franciscans have turned me down, Angelina. They have asked me to travel another road to sainthood. TOM: Richard is done with celibating! 1983, Jerry Bamman, Ecco!, page 1-36
   But if she must break off her celibating, it's a shame and a pity she had to choose him to do it with. 2010, Joan Smith, Aurora
   But also with labels like “whore” and “slut”, as a male, it's annoying, because, women don't need to be chastised and made colder in this ice age we live in— they need to be warmed up, turned on, complimented, celebrated (not celibated), encouraged to enjoy their bodies, and pursue pleasure soberly and intelligently. 2012, Ted Huntington, Big Science Secrets, Lies, and Mistakes, page 129