self-control
nounverbattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˌsɛlf kənˈtɹəʊl//
- United States//ˌsɛlf kənˈtɹoʊl//
The ability to control one's desires and impulses.
noun
- 1
The ability to control one's desires and impulses.
Near-synonym: willpower
A review of addiction research, published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, suggests mindful meditation strengthens self-control in smokers, even among those smokers who haven’t set an intention to quit.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *swé? Proto-Indo-European *selbʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *selbaz Old English self Old English self- Middle English self- English self- English control English self-control From self- + control.
verb
- 1
To control oneself or itself.
Forms
- plural
- self-controls
- past tense
- self-controlled
- past participle
- self-controlled
- present participle
- self-controlling
- third person singular
- self-controls
self-control · The ability to control one's desires and impulses.
self-defense · The means of defending oneself from physical attack.self-destruct · To destroy oneself or itself.self-esteem · Confidence in one's own worth; self-respect.